Depression: Is it really all in the mind?

[Kayleigh]

Hello!

Growing up I always suspected I had this thing called "Depression". It was all over the TV an I identified with it completely. Last year (at the age of 22) I plucked up the courage to go to my doctor and this time actually go through with the counselling which I'm fnding is usful to unload my worries but I'm not sure I'm getting "better".

I've just graduated from uni and feel like I can't cope with the demands of a full time, high flying job but I do want to make my difference in the world and I do want all of the material niceties too!

So I was thinking, am I just lazy or is it something to do with this "depression"? At full time jobs I really feel so physically and emotionally drained that I can't carry on. And i do feel ashamed of it because it feels like I am weak and lazy. But maybe it's not all in the mind?

I've tried many positive thinking srategies but sometimes I just can't shake a low mood and get on with life.

Any ideas or stories to share?

[bhouncy]

I'm not really the depressed type but whenever I feel myself in that place I change my focus by asking what I'm happy about in my life and it works every time.

I know everyone is different but I think the one thing we have in common is our internal world dictates how we perceive the external world and how perceive ourselves.

I don't think you are lazy and love the quote that "There is no such thing as laziness only lack of incentive".

I think asking questions about "am I this" or "am I that" often lead to answers that we are still unsure about or end up giving us the belief that we are broken in some way. I think a better question is "How would I like to be?" and experiencing that new you as if it is happening now. The more you do this the more you become that person.

I'm not a doctor but if you can still function at some level of competency as you seem to be doing then you have the potential to increase that level.

Peace
Brian

[aniinl]

At full time jobs I really feel so physically and emotionally drained that I can't carry on.

Hi Kristen,
does that happen with any job or activity you do "full time"/for a whole day? Does a whole day of fun also emotionally drain you?
Maybe you're not having fun at work and if you'd find something you like better, you would also feel better and time would pass much quicker because you enjoy what you're doing?

Anja

[Jay Budzynski]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V96aYXnRqKw&eurl=http://www.meme-weaver.com/

Hello this so called thing, called depression, from,what I have found over the time, that I have been looking into such things, over ten years, seems do come down to, a few, bad habits, not eating well, not drinking enough water, and not doing enough physical activity, and listening to bullshit- or a combination of all 4.

If you watch the youtube clip- then this also puts a whole different way of looking at the way things are classified and tagged.

do you find you think about the past to much? STOP IT-
do you think about the future to much? STOP IT-

If you only have the right now to deal with how would you like to feel in this moment?

we can't change the real past, as it's over, yet we can place resources, in our past using things like time-lines, so you might want to look into learning more about that.

again with the future you can place resources where you need them, again using time based techniques.

in the moment coping techniques- there is EFT www.emofree.com download the free manual will give you the basics.

you might find this state control drill process helpful-

What feeling good comes down to is practice- so he's a little thing of you to play with for 7 days- take 3 minutes say 3 to 6 times a day- and pick 3-5 words from this list each time so you play with most all of them in the time frame set- and allow your self to feel what it would be like to feel the emotional based representation the words means to you-

AFFECTIONATE, compassionate, friendly, loving, open hearted, sympathetic, tender, warm, CONFIDENT, empowered, open, proud, safe, secure, ENGAGED, absorbed, alert
curious, engrossed, enchanted, entranced, fascinated, interested, intrigued, involved, stimulated, INSPIRED, amazed, awed, wonder, EXCITED, amazed, animated, aroused
astonished, dazzled, eager, energetic, enthusiastic, giddy, invigorated, lively, passionate
surprised, vibrant, EXHILARATED, blissful, ecstatic, elated, enthralled, exuberant, radiant, thrilled, GRATEFUL, appreciative, moved, thankful, touched, HOPEFUL, expectant, encouraged, optimistic, JOYFUL, amused, delighted, glad, happy, jubilant
pleased, tickled, PEACEFUL, calm, clear headed, comfortable, cantered, content, fulfilled
mellow, quiet, relaxed, relieved, satisfied, serene, still, tranquil, trusting, REFRESHED
rejuvenated, renewed, rested, restored, revived.

all you need to do is notice what happens to the way you start to feel over time-

J

[Donstar]

maybe it's not all in the mind

Who knows?  Whenever I'm sitting in that depressed place, it feels more chemical than mental to me.  To me it doesn't really matter whether it's 'real', what matters is how I'm feeling.  I like the emotional scale Abraham Hicks use, and also the idea that jumping from depression to joy is a huge leap, and sometimes we can only move up a little bit at a time...

I am also a big believer that we have the knowledge for our own healing within us, so what do you 'know'?  What do you think will help, and are you doing it?  Sometimes when I'm down, I know that getting outside will help...and I sit inside.  The key is not to pressure yourself and make it worse.  Love you, be really kind to you, make it really easy to feel a little bit better, and a little bit better...and so on.

Have you read Michael's 'Feel Happy Now'?  There's loads of stuff in there to help.  And my last bit of advice...figure out what you LOVE to do, and do more and more of what you love to do.  That will help you move up the happiness ladder.

Lastly, you are not 'lazy', remember that you are doing your best in every moment for yourself...

Love

Donna.x

[Kayleigh]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I think the main point I've realised is the idea of "enough".

• Enough exercise but not too much.
  Enough positive attention but not too much.
  Having achieved enough rather than what I think I should have achieved.

I hope to carry on this post as my journey continues and perhaps others can continue to contribute.

In terms of my own story I have decided to take the medication prescribed and as well as using some other techniques such as Michael's "Is it alright now?" things seem pretty good.

Thank you again.

[nick kemp]

Often diet can be a primary factor in this kind of state, a fact usually missed by practitioners, so no its not "always in the mind"...

[Jay Budzynski]

Hello this so called thing, called depression, from,what I have found over the time, that I have been looking into such things, over ten years, seems do come down to, a few, bad habits, not eating well, not drinking enough water, and not doing enough physical activity, and listening to bullshit- or a combination of all 4.

               

JB