I’m borrowing from schema therapy, which is the main therapy model that my therapist and I are using. But it’s been very effective in pulling out some major parts of my brain, and given many insights into the various functions[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I’ve struggled to complete this series, and equally have been struggling whether there’s any point to posting it. My only hope is that it can help someone else struggling with their inner critic or even the concept of it, through[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
When depression and low self esteem is in the picture, suddenly telling someone that they’re actually performing below standards can demolish whatever little esteem has been built up. Especially if the assessor is someone they love or respect – and[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
It’s not that I can’t take compliments or even due credit for my work. It’s that I prefer to deflect it with humour, point out why I don’t deserve it, refuse to accept that I had anything to do with[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
This question always gets me. When is enough, enough? For some people, as long as I’m unwell, I’ll not be enough. If I’m well but I hold values they don’t agree with, I’ll not be enough. Even if I start[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
One thing most people don’t know about me and my comic is that very often, I feel like a fraud drawing this, writing of my experiences. What if I’m lying to myself? What if all this isn’t true, and what[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
This is really hard. REALLY HARD. I’m struggling with it right now and my critic is screaming at me. But I managed to deploy this comic I’ve drawn for a while now. It’s one small step. And it’s enough, critic.[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Depression changes the usual rules on managing criticism and the various voices in our heads. There’s no easy solution – look at the speed at which I’m posting! But one trick is to recognise when people do care, and when[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
If we really want to be fair to others, we don’t just listen to all the bad things about them, or even just the good things. Being human, no one is perfect. So to be fair, we should listen to[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
To understand ourselves better, and our struggles especially in depression, it’s always good to be realistic about ourselves and our humanity. Negative emotions are very evident in depression, but they’re actually normal, useful and helpful. But as with everything, too[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…