It's been almost 2 1/2 years since I checked in to 5 East. What I have learned since then has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. The morning I went to the ER, I was so tightly up against the wall that I could not see anything except the abyss. At that moment, I was way past circling the drain. And as I have recounted many times, that morning I saw only … [Read more...] about Evergreen – Lessons I’ve Learned From 50 Years of High-Functioning Depression
Books about unhelpful thinking styles
My Unhelpful Thinking Is at It Again
I can’t believe I’m falling for depression’s unhelpful thinking. My work on this has been extensive. I have looked at each of the ten main unhelpful thinking styles in depth. And I have studied how depression uses these to control my actions very subtly, and worse, to control my thoughts. It is clear to me now that I cannot control events. Hurricanes, taxes, annual … [Read more...] about My Unhelpful Thinking Is at It Again
Can I Be Happy With My Birthday?
Or would the correct term be joy, a core emotion? Either way, I suppose this is a milestone of birthdays. It has been coming for a while. There was nothing to do but allow it to tick forward, a day at a time, until now it is the big day. I turn 65 today. Now I can finally take advantage of the senior discount at Denny’s. Just kidding. It’s been so long since I was in a … [Read more...] about Can I Be Happy With My Birthday?
Proven Coping Statements for Depression and Anxiety
I know coping statements work. I use them in my daily life. And positive affirmations are a form of coping statement that reinforces a belief or moves me in the direction of owning that belief or feeling. Some of my go-to coping statements are: Stop, and breathe, I can do thisThis will passI can be anxious/angry/sad and still deal with thisI have done this before, and … [Read more...] about Proven Coping Statements for Depression and Anxiety
What Are Helpful Coping Statements and What Are Not?
What are coping statements? Coping statements are truthful positive statements used to replace the negative and untrue thoughts that take-over when you feel anxious, stressed, angry, and/or when facing other overwhelming situations. "Remember that it won't hurt forever" is a coping statement. Being a truthful statement counter-acts negative unhelpful thinking such as " … [Read more...] about What Are Helpful Coping Statements and What Are Not?