I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting someone with depression who can take their own advice. Somehow, advice on survival, on being positive, on not beating ourselves up with guilt… when others are depressed, and we can offer them a word of hope, we do. But when that hope is turned upon ourselves, we can’t accept it. It doesn’t apply to us. Find a reason, but I’m worse / more terrible / less worthy of hope than the other Depressed guy over there who’s also trying to tell me that he or she’s not worthy of hope.
But again, with treatment, we do end up being more open to facts and advice that lead us away from the precipice.
Then again, this is definitely not a request for unsolicited advice. Rather, if you are a caregiver, you will find that sometimes, repeating yourself is necessary. Don’t give up!
Hi Smiling Hamster. I want to say I enjoy your posts. They really resonate with me. Thanks for speaking for depressed people in Singapore.
I do not like it when people immediately counter my depression with positive thinking, even though it is one of the best tools.
I very much prefer having the pain acknowledged in word and tone and body language, before transitioning to more grateful and positive thinking in demonstration and guided practice.
I mean I think it is like in music, an abrupt change in style is abrasive and destroys the song. A more gradual change in tune, tone and style helps!
And an incredibly amount of patience! At least till the next cycle of dip and recovery.
Thanks CrazyStitch! I’m glad it resonates with you. And yes, positivity is nothing without reality injected and adjusted to our state of recovery.
One day at a time!