Is Depression Making You Bully Yourself?

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Is Depression Making You Bully Yourself?
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Video: Bipolar Disorder and Self Harm
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

Is Depression Making You Bully Yourself?

Bullying yourself. One of the cruel things about depression—and there are so many—is that it turns someone into his own worst enemy. Depression involves having automatic negative thoughts, many of which are self-critical.

These thoughts are exactly what the name says. They’re automatic, which means they’re in our head, and we buy into them without really thinking about it. They’re also negative. They’re critical, harsh, and distorted.

Someone with depression bullies herself relentlessly as part of these automatic negative thoughts. Have you ever caught yourself thinking things like this?

• I’m no good, and I never will be
• I should be a better spouse/parent/friend
• I just can’t handle things
• I’m stupid, worthless, never good enough
• I should have more energy
• I shouldn’t be so exhausted all of the time
• Other people can manage their lives, but not me
• What’s wrong with me?
• People say I should snap out of it, but I can’t because I’m too weak

These statements are hurtful, and they can worsen depression. It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of despair and self-bullying.

Start noticing how you’re talking to yourself. When you notice criticisms, you can interrupt and reduce self-bullying. You might not believe this right now, but it’s true: you don’t deserve to be so hard on yourself.

Related Articles Dealing with Depression and Self-Bullying

• Depression Fuels Itself with Negative Thoughts
• Negative Thoughts Causing Depression? Consider the Source
• Don’t Let Your Negative Thoughts Control You
• Negative Thoughts Distort Your Reality
• Stop Being Depressed: Use These Self-Help Tools Now

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: When you’re bullying yourself, how do you break away from the harsh criticism? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page and on the HealthyPlace Google+ page.

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From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• For Bipolar 2 and ADHD, Reading a Helpful Outlet
• Anxiety While Driving — Conquering Life’s Left Turns with GAD
• Treating Bipolar Disorder During Flu Season
• How Long Does Recovery from Binge Eating Disorder Take?
• My Schizoaffective Disorder Care Plan for Late Winter
• Dealing with Feelings of Guilt and Shame When You’re Depressed
• How Does Work Anxiety Hold You Back?
• How to Build Self-Esteem After a Breakup
• How to Ask for Help for Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Psychosis
• An Anxiety Relief Exercise That Uses Your Body as Resource
• Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms May Be Soothed with Vitamins
• Toxic Relationships: Friend and Family Estrangement
• Finding Motivation for Recovery from Mental Illness
• Identify Unhealthy Behavior Patterns for Your Mental Health

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

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From HealthyPlace YouTube Channel

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2

Bipolar Disorder and Self Harm

Self-harm is not a symptom of bipolar disorder, but it is something that a lot of people with bipolar struggle with, including myself. Because of that, I’m sharing my experience with self-harm and bipolar disorder.(Watch Hannah)

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Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. Suggestions for Sleep Problems in Childhood ADHD
2. Anxiety Coping Skills for Women
3. Managing the Suicide Risk in Dissociative Identity Disorder

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

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Mental Health Quote

"You need to look after yourself too. If you need to rest, rest. If you need time alone, retreat."

Read more mental health quotes.

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