5 Lies Depression Tells You
These thoughts or beliefs are not exclusive to depression, and everyone experiences these from time to time.
However, constant negative thoughts like "I'm not good enough, or "I'm not loveable" definitely contribute to one's Depressive moods.
These thoughts often become a part of us, but it's important to remember that they are the lies that depression tells you.
There are 5 most common cognitive distortions when it comes to depression.
Although it is a good practice to identify and understand these beliefs, overcoming these in the care of a professional is always recommended.
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All-or-Nothing Thinking
This particular lie that depression tells us goes by many names.
Black-or-white thinking, dichotomous thinking, or even polarized thinking suggests that one cannot see a grey area.
These thoughts might sound like this:
"I'm not good enough," or "I'm perfect at everything."
"Everything around me is getting destroyed," or "Everything around me is splendid all the time."
"Others always leave me behind."
"I will never find love"
These are the lies that depression tells you, especially the all-or-nothing thinking, which makes us feel hopeless, and on the verge of giving up. Sometimes, it is alright to be somewhere in the middle.
Thus, instead of thinking that you're either a failure or perfect, your self-talk could be something like, "I know I'm okay at this... and maybe with time, I will become better."
Should Statements
"You're so stupid... you should never have said that"
Sound familiar?
That's because 'shoulds' create high standards for ourselves, and when we don't achieve them, we feel worthless or even like a failure.
Identifying 'Shoulds' directs you to monitor your self-talk and make goals and expectations that are more manageable and compassionate to yourself.
Mental Filtering
Our brains process a lot of information every day, every hour, and every single second!
However, the brain, too, has limited capacities for storage.
Thus, it filters out information and keeps the necessary stuff for us.
However, the lies that depression tells us make us exclude or filter out the positives of many things and focus on that one tiny detail or data that becomes like a dark cloud over our heads.
Mental Filtering can look like a class presentation when everyone praises you. Still, one constructive criticism from your professor is the only information to store, and your focus goes away from the positive.
Given that this might be more individualistic and differ from person to person, the recommendation is that you care for this though in the presence of a safe space and person.
Personalization
"My boss has it out for me today... it must be because I'm a lousy worker."
"Those kids in the subway were laughing... they must be laughing at me."
Emotional Reasoning
As human beings, we use many of our mind and body's resources which includes both emotions, making meaning of those emotions, and our rational thinking.
Emotional Reasoning is a cognitive distortion that suggests that emotions dictate our reason. Thus, if you believe something is true based on your emotional response, facts or objectivity often don't seem relevant.
Thoughts like, "I feel helpless. I must be helpless," or "I am depressed. I must be so weak."
While understanding and acknowledging emotions are important, it is not necessary to accept them as facts.
Simply put, if you feel helpless, it isn't necessary that you are helpless. It could also mean that you are yet to find the right resources that could help you.
Conclusion
The lies that depression tells you don't always start with depression alone. It is often seen as a vicious cycle of thoughts contributing to depression, feeling depressed, then thinking more negatively, thus, feeling more depressed.
However, once you identify these lies, you have the power to not listen to the lies that depression tells you.
A simple thought log that puts your thoughts on trial may be helpful, and you can access it below.
Please note that although this may prove to help you, sometimes the reasons for our woes go deeper, and you may benefit more from seeking a therapist who specializes in the difficulties that you may be facing.
Resources
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/challenging-negative-thoughts
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