It is frustrating to live with depression. I get it. I walk to the beat of humming depression almost everyday. It is clearly frustrating to take a handful of medications and not eliminate my symptoms entirely.
What helps me feel better is that I try very hard to maintain a positive attitude. Is it easy? No. But it is truly imperative.
I never realized how much depression could influence my thoughts until a friend gave me some feedback one day. She said, “Amy, you and I are just different. You see the glass half empty and I see it half full.”
Ouch. I always thought of myself as a positive person with a good attitude but unknowingly I had gotten a bit cynical because of my untreated depression. But as much as I did not appreciate her input at the time I can now look back and say I am glad she said it.
There is a lot to be said for paying attention to what thoughts we have going through our minds. Practicing mindfulness is a great help in managing depression. A bit of staying in check with whether my views are really negative or simply impacted because I may not feel well.
Sometimes other people who don’t experience depression will not be able to relate to how I feel. But I have learned I also have to understand how they feel too.
No one wants to be around a person who perpetuates negativity even if it is caused from an illness. But more importantly I have found the more I focus on being upbeat and positive the more my mood lifts. If I am only feeling the hum of depression often times I can move my mood just enough to feel better.
Focusing on a positive attitude has really helped me. I hope it helps you too. And by the way someone who cares enough to give you feedback is worth her weight in gold.
Twitter- Amygamble
So true, self fulfilling
🙂
M
I am working on changing my negative self judgements around too
Yes I learned the hard way that negative self-talk can be harmful to my health. To