Signs Your Self-Talk is Fueling Your Depression

Your limiting beliefs have become a way of life

When you run yourself down or repeatedly tell yourself that you can’t succeed, thoughts become beliefs. Over time,  evidence that supports a more positive view of yourself may be overridden by your negative self-view. This can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies about what you can’t do or who you can’t be. Eventually, an overwhelming sense of powerlessness and helplessness can drive depressive thoughts.

You’re own standards feel out of reach

Sometimes, the standards to which we hold ourselves are unhelpful, unproductive, or unreasonable. Are you trying to achieve goals with perfection in mind? Do you beat yourself up or mercilessly compare yourself to others? If you can’t rest or give yourself much grace in failure, your self-talk may reflect that.

The sense that you’ll never measure up (or that there is only one way to measure up) produces negativity and low self-esteem. Telling yourself that you aren’t good enough can eventually lead to despair and resignation.

You’re oversensitive and defensive

If your own conscience is preoccupied with criticism, perceived judgment from others may seem like confirmation of your self-doubt and worthlessness. The combination of your own thoughts and outside criticism may make interacting with others feel too uncomfortable, painful, or uncertain to pursue.

You feel unwanted and unlovable

Do you tell yourself that people must not want you around? Do you automatically assume that socializing will be awkward or embarrassing? This can be problematic because depression feeds off withdrawal and isolation.

Negative self-talk can make you feel like you don’t deserve the care and company of your loved ones. You need positive social interactions to thrive and gain some perspective.

You’re hesitant to seek help.

Negative self-talk can become so automatic that you may feel unable to break through it on your own. You may be experiencing some shame or an inability to forgive yourself for not being able to “fix” your thinking. This of course just feeds the negative self-talk cycle.

It’s important to be very intentional at this point. A qualified therapist may be the best first step for sharing your inner thoughts safely.

Turning Your Self-Talk Around with Therapy

Your inner critic isn’t who you are. Your negative self-talk isn’t a reflection of the truth. Who you want to be and how you think of yourself have been co-opted by depression. Fortunately, you can recover.

A therapist can help you address your self-talk and problems that underlie your low self-esteem. Together you do the following:

• Acknowledge the emotions that contribute to automatic self-criticism. What feelings are you avoiding/indulging?
• Challenge the assumptions and beliefs you hold about yourself. What evidence supports your harsh self-assessment?
• Empower yourself with affirmations, communication, and tools provided by your therapist to transform your inner dialogue.

Are you ready for a change? Let me help. Please read more about depression treatment and contact me today to see how we can tackle your negative self-talk. As a team, we can help you move toward a happier, more fulfilled life.