For problems like anxiety and depression, many people are unable to understand why they feel the way they do. Chances are, if you are experiencing depression or anxiety, it is caused by the way you think. I know that perhaps this seems obvious. But I believe many people are unaware of just how much their thought-process affects their well-being. Many people with problems like depression and anxiety rush to take medications to fix "chemical imbalances" without wondering why such an imbalance is occurring in the first place. For example, try the following (warning: it will make you feel bad)...
-Think of the worst memory you can think of..
-Imagine it again, but try to fill in even more detail.
-Exaggerate it, perhaps add something that makes it even worse!
How do you feel? Probably pretty bad. That feeling is caused by "chemicals". If you engage in enough stress-inducing thinking, there will be side-effects (e.g. mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain-fog, poor focusing ability and memory). Think of the chemicals that get released during stressful thinking as being like a drug (thoughts do alter the way the brain and/or body functions); and like a drug, there are side effects to negative (i.e. stressful) thinking. For many anxious or depressed individuals, negative thinking is so habitual that it goes unnoticed--it is the default the mode.
We are so good at thinking that we can process large amounts of information without even realizing it. When confronted with a stressful situation--like being face-to-face with a bear--we don't need to spend a long time trying to remember what we know about this creature (even though the information we have gathered about bears is why a fight-or-flight response would typically occur). We have "feelings" about everything in the world because of labels and associative emotion-producing memories. A person can get over a fear of bears by consciously thinking about bears differently.
Think as optimistically as possible (while still maintaining rationality). Even if in your heart you don't believe the optimistic thoughts, keep thinking that way and eventually your mind will accept them as truths. Ask yourself: I enjoy life, but why? Do this sincerely, and your brain will try to figure it out--which is much better than alternative.
What I am referring to is positive self-talk and positive affirmations (which are both very similar). Try to look for reasons for why you love yourself and look for positives in the world. Oftentimes, when a person feels depressed, their brains use this train of thought: "okay, I'm depressed, why?" or "I'm angry, why?". The brain will then search for reasons to explain the emotional state. When something makes us feel bad, we try to understand why--with anxiety and depression--the explanations often only add fuel to the fire.
I'm hoping to be able to make a section on this blog for positive affirmations an tips for optimistic thinking. If you have any questions let me know.
Disclaimer - All of these ideas are just ideas, they aren't intended to replace professional help. If you are dealing with a serious mental issue, go see a doctor. Either way I assume no liability or responsibility.
