Trying To Talk Yourself Out of Depression Does Not Always Work

The actual professionals and the self-acclaimed psychology experts have embedded an idea via articles, blogs, and social media posts that talking about mental health issues, particularly depression, is perhaps the first and many times, the last, step to reclaiming a life without feeling the daily blues. However, the truth couldn't be any different. For starters, people suffering from depression are often in jobs and family roles where they have to speak throughout the day. Many people with depression have a rather well-established circle of friends with whom they converse every day. People visiting the family psychologist might continue to have long conversations about redemption, loss, and unhappiness and still, might feel that the therapy is not really making an impact. People need to realize that you cannot talk your way out of depression, at least not in most situations. For way too long, the role of counseling sessions has been given the maximum importance as a way to treat someone suffering from clinical depression. However, counseling and confessions are more important to address the problem and to make someone realize that it is okay to feel like not waking up, eating, exercising, going to school, or being regular at the office. However, the same approach does not help if the goal is to overcome depression. Many people fail to realize this assuming that therapy and treatment are the same and the more people talk about depression, the easier it will be to defeat the problem. Talking about depression can make the person more conscious about the underlying problem but therapy is rather different and it might not include a lot of communication.

Prozac works but why not try the un-chemical way to feel good?

This discussion is not about whether Prozac helps with anxiety. Yes, medicines like Prozac can help you control your anxiety levels but here, I am discussing some DIY methods that are not equally chemical, and don't make you chase around for a prescription. I have had issues with restoring my mental energy levels every time they get depleted with a few hectic days. Ever since I turned 25, a pattern emerged where after a couple of days of sustained physical and psychological work, my mind would go into a caffeinated mode, unable to wind down and as a result, my anxiety levels and the associated digestive symptoms would surface. The medicines I tried over the years to control this habit and its root cause helped to some extent but there is a catch to using them. No matter what the pharmaceutical world says, there is a downside to every drug out there, prescription or over-the-counter. Once you get into the habit of using mood boosters, or in my case, mood-sustaining salts, there is a big chance your body and mind stop evolving to help you navigate and manage different phases of your life, and some need you to be alert and calm. My continuous run-ins with these meds also helped me uncover some things that could boost the overall mood and energy levels. These mental health tips are not stolen from the web or blatantly rewritten to engage the search engines. This is from my cup of psychological wellness and I am sharing some of it with you:

What is self-compassion and it is important for you to accept your body?

Understanding Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is a critical psychological concept that entails treating oneself with the same kindness, concern, and support one would show to a good friend. Rooted in ancient Buddhist practices, self-compassion is fundamentally about recognizing our shared human experience, which includes suffering and imperfection. Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneering researcher in this field, defines self-compassion through three main components: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.

Components of Self-Compassion

Self-Kindness: Instead of being harshly self-critical, self-kindness involves being gentle and understanding with oneself. It means recognizing that it's okay to make mistakes and that imperfection is a part of the human experience.

A little bit of criticism ain't that bad - just get better at processing it!

Let us have a bit of a chat about dealing with criticism.

It's one of those things that can really sting, ain't it? When your flatmate moans about the rubbish or your boss pulls you up on a missed email, it's easy to start wondering if they secretly can't stand you. Those little comments can trigger all sorts of negative thoughts about ourselves that have been buried away.

Maybe you fixated on that one critical bit in your performance review because deep down, you doubted you were really cut out for the job. Or perhaps, having the right critical parent growing up means any suggestion about your cleaning habits feels like a massive blow to your self-worth.

The truth is that we cannot always get top marks, no matter how hard we try to be perfect little angels. So, it si crucial that we learn how to handle criticism without letting it chip away at our confidence. Next time you're feeling like a proper muppet or a total failure - trust me, you're not - give these expert tips a go:

Anxiety | Mental Health | Lionel Messi - It Happens to the Best!

This discussion about mental health, anxiety, and how being anxious chronically can happen to the best, people as good and great as Lionel Messi, is inspired by this article by Adam Alter, on Ideas.Ted.com

For many people, when celebrities talk about mental health issues, it becomes a bit easier to comprehend the problem and understand that it can happen to anybody irrespective of the amount of inherent talent or the fandom that comes with being the best in anything, ranging from movies to soccer. The latter has its smart, Messi, whose psychological challenges of holding up his performance in the middle of a growing, global fan following. The problems with Messi' preparedness for the big stage have been doing the rounds for some time. Reports suggest that he usually vomits and according to some sources, his vomiting is a bit of a chronic thing that tends to happen en route to a big match. It was in 2014 that reports emerged about Messi showing symptoms of vomiting and perhaps, the condition being associated with trouble in handling anxiety.

Mind Matters: That One Thing No One in Depression Should be Allowed…

I have had the depression monkey on my back, often find life stuck in first gear mode, and repeatedly come across scenarios where it would be easy to fold-up under a bed-sheet and just lie around for the entire day. However, my wife would not allow this and now, I realize the basic human psychology at play here. There is one truth you cannot escape – for some reason, whatever science has to say about it notwithstanding, you might be more prone to anxiety and depression. There will be bad days, horrible days and Jewish holocaust-like days. Will the world come together to help you get out of your slumber? No. Will family and friends make it a mission of their life to help you live a better life? No. Will you have to figure out your own solutions and find your own resolutions to battle it out? YES!

Being Different: Learning Humility without Being a Doormat | Life Teaches You How to Give a Fuck

This was in 2014 [when the change had begun]:

Yes, I am in the middle of a transformation. It is both intellectual and spiritual. You can say that it was brought about by circumstances that were getting piled on for nearly 5 years. I am learning to be less egoistic, not touchy about the smallest remarks or criticism. In fact, I am turning into a keen listener even if I realize that the discussion is headed towards waters that will most probably sink me. This humility is all around, in my everyday living. It is not as if I am humble at the workplace and stubborn at home or when dealing with outsiders - the aptitude to be better, more tolerant, less proud is all around me and I am absorbing this bit of wisdom, hoping it will start to pour out of my pores one day.

Skin Picking [Excoriation]: Stupid Addictions that Only Harm You

You might not have heard about this condition if you don’t like the psychological roleplay plots. This is a type of obsessive behavior where a person will continue to scrape away skin layers on the hands feet, along the corners of the nose and mouth and majorly on the scalp. Skin picking as a habit can reach such limits that you fully realize that the skin is being bruised to the extent of remaining inflamed throughout the day or even bleeding and even then, you cannot stop yourself.


How common is this? A lot, beyond what you can imagine but most people don’t count it as a mental health condition. 

Uncluttering to Gain Composure: Is it really so simple?

Minimalism & De-cluttering Helps |
Gain Better Mental Health

I had read about this many times but never took the initiative to actually try it. Cluttered surroundings, filled with things we might need and usually never need, is the source of much anxiety. I have discovered this rather late in my life, realizing that my desk, from where I am blogging right now, is totally clobbered. It is filled with things that I usually don’t need. They continue to occupy more space but serve very little purpose. I am prone to getting anxious without an accurate reason. Sometimes, the feeling just overcomes me in the most unexplained manner.