Depression is a serious mental disorder that affects millions of people around the world. One of the most common characteristics of depression is recurring negative thoughts that can affect one's perception of oneself, others, and the world in general. These thoughts can be overwhelming and make the daily lives of those who suffer from this illness difficult.
Negative thoughts in depression
Thoughts Negatives are an integral part of depression and can manifest in various ways. These thoughts can be irrational, distorted or exaggerated, and often reinforce the feelings of sadness, hopelessness and lack of self-worth that accompany depression.
Next, we will look at five negative thoughts typical of depression:
1. Excessive Guilt Thinking
People with depression tend to blame themselves for everything that goes wrong in their lives. They may believe that they are responsible for situations beyond their control, feel guilty for not being able to meet unrealistic expectations, or for making minor mistakes.
This excessive guilt thinking can lead to a negative cycle in which the person She feels increasingly worse about herself, which in turn reinforces the belief that she does not deserve to be happy or successful.
2. Learned Helplessness Thinking
Learned helplessness is a psychological phenomenon in which people believe that they have no control over the situations in their lives, even when in reality they could take steps to change their situation. In depression, this thought of learned helplessness can be especially strong.
People with depression may feel that no matter what they do, things will always go wrong. This feeling of helplessness can prevent them from making positive decisions to improve their situation and leads them to feel trapped in a cycle of negativity and hopelessness.
3. Negative self-evaluation thinking
In depression, people tend to have a distorted, negative view of themselves. They may believe that they are not good enough, smart enough, attractive enough, or successful enough, regardless of reality. This negative self-evaluation thinking can undermine the person's self-esteem and hinder their ability to see their own positive qualities.
This negative self-evaluation can be especially dangerous, as it can lead to self-destructive behaviors or social isolation, which can lead to negative self-evaluation. which further aggravates depression.
4. Catastrophizing Thinking
Catastrophizing is a thinking pattern in which people tend to anticipate the worst in all situations. In depression, this catastrophizing thought can be constantly present, causing the person to see the future with fear and hopelessness.
People with depression can magnify problems and difficulties, believing that there is no possible solution and that everything is destined to go wrong. This catastrophic thinking can paralyze the person and make it difficult to make decisions or seek help to overcome depression.
5. Thought of hopelessness
One of the most harmful thoughts in depression is the feeling of hopelessness. People with depression may believe that there is no way out of their suffering, that they have no promising future, and that they do not deserve to feel better.
This hopeless thinking can lead to risky behaviors, such as substance abuse. or self-mutilation, and increase the risk of suicidal behavior. It is crucial to identify and address this hopeless thinking to prevent serious consequences in people suffering from depression.
Conclusion
The negative thoughts typical of depression can have a devastating impact on the life of those who experience them. It is important to recognize these thought patterns and seek professional help to learn how to manage them effectively.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication can be useful tools for addressing negative thoughts in depression and learning strategies to change them for more realistic and positive thoughts.
Remember that depression is a serious illness and that you are not alone. If you think you are experiencing recurring negative thoughts or having difficulty managing your emotions, seek help from a mental health professional.