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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cynthia on July 25, 1999, at 18:56:58
I've just finished a self-help course, which I took to help clarify what I want to be doing with my career. The instructors talked alot about saying affirmations to yourself, spending a few minutes each day visualizing how you would like your life to be, and the power of positive thinking. Now, I'm bipolar and have, pretty much, treatment resistant depression that comes and goes like clockwork (sometimes worse or better than other times). Does anyone think that affirmations, visualizations and positive thinking could work for treatment resistant depression, or know of anyone who this has helped or worked for. To me, it seems like so many factors are involved in depression, and that simply doing these simple exercises would not be able to change much. The instructors likened the subconscious mind to a blank slate and that it can be told almost anything.
Any experiences with this, or any ideas about it?
Thanks in advance
Cynthia
Posted by anna on July 26, 1999, at 5:56:55
In reply to Affirmations, Visualizations and Postive Thinking, posted by Cynthia on July 25, 1999, at 18:56:58
> I've just finished a self-help course, which I took to help clarify what I want to be doing with my career. The instructors talked alot about saying affirmations to yourself, spending a few minutes each day visualizing how you would like your life to be, and the power of positive thinking. Now, I'm bipolar and have, pretty much, treatment resistant depression that comes and goes like clockwork (sometimes worse or better than other times). Does anyone think that affirmations, visualizations and positive thinking could work for treatment resistant depression, or know of anyone who this has helped or worked for. To me, it seems like so many factors are involved in depression, and that simply doing these simple exercises would not be able to change much. The instructors likened the subconscious mind to a blank slate and that it can be told almost anything.
>
> Any experiences with this, or any ideas about it?
> Thanks in advance
> CynthiaHi Cynthia,
I think there can be a lot of benefit from affirmations and positive thinking. I Dont think it can cure depression but it can certainly take the 'edge' off it so perhaps you dont go into such a dark hole. I know that when i wake up in the morning and think oh god another day, I can improve how I feel by some positive thinking. I,ve also had success with affirmations ie I am Calm, Happy, Enthusiastic and Confident.
Relaxation techniques are also beneficial. I learnt all these techniques before I started medications and they definitely helped but, I also did need to go on anti depressants. I must admit if I am in a deep depression, I am too down to even attempt any of these. Some people think that you should be able to only use positive thinking, affirmations and visualisation to get out of depression. I,d say they only have a transitory depression or maybe its not caused by a chemical imbalance or whatever. Each to their own- you can only try but i'd say definitely try cos it certainly doesnt do any harm. Good Luck.
Anna
Posted by Cynthia on July 26, 1999, at 22:49:47
In reply to Re: Affirmations, Visualizations and Postive Thinking, posted by anna on July 26, 1999, at 5:56:55
> > I've just finished a self-help course, which I took to help clarify what I want to be doing with my career. The instructors talked alot about saying affirmations to yourself, spending a few minutes each day visualizing how you would like your life to be, and the power of positive thinking. Now, I'm bipolar and have, pretty much, treatment resistant depression that comes and goes like clockwork (sometimes worse or better than other times). Does anyone think that affirmations, visualizations and positive thinking could work for treatment resistant depression, or know of anyone who this has helped or worked for. To me, it seems like so many factors are involved in depression, and that simply doing these simple exercises would not be able to change much. The instructors likened the subconscious mind to a blank slate and that it can be told almost anything.
> >
> > Any experiences with this, or any ideas about it?
> > Thanks in advance
> > Cynthia
>
> Hi Cynthia,
> I think there can be a lot of benefit from affirmations and positive thinking. I Dont think it can cure depression but it can certainly take the 'edge' off it so perhaps you dont go into such a dark hole. I know that when i wake up in the morning and think oh god another day, I can improve how I feel by some positive thinking. I,ve also had success with affirmations ie I am Calm, Happy, Enthusiastic and Confident.
> Relaxation techniques are also beneficial. I learnt all these techniques before I started medications and they definitely helped but, I also did need to go on anti depressants. I must admit if I am in a deep depression, I am too down to even attempt any of these. Some people think that you should be able to only use positive thinking, affirmations and visualisation to get out of depression. I,d say they only have a transitory depression or maybe its not caused by a chemical imbalance or whatever. Each to their own- you can only try but i'd say definitely try cos it certainly doesnt do any harm. Good Luck.
> AnnaThanks Anna,
You articulated what I was feeling (on some level) about these things, but I've had no experience with them. I'm going to give them a try to see if, as you say, they could be one factor of many that could help. Meditation, Yoga, a book called Biorhytms, light therapy and basically taking really good physical care of myself are the only things, outside of medication of course, that I have this far found helpful.I'm hoping maybe one day psychology could help me. God, if only it were as easy as saying affirmations!
thanks for your reply,
Cynthia
Posted by Roo on July 27, 1999, at 7:38:04
In reply to Re: Affirmations, Visualizations and Postive Thinking, posted by Cynthia on July 26, 1999, at 22:49:47
I've been thinking about affirmations a lot
recently, and doing them for the last two days.
So far, for me, they work best in combination with
my med. I go to therapy too. I realized the other
day, as I sitting on the couch, glassy eyed and
staring into space, and depressed, that I was
really ruminating on negative thoughts. It was a
habit. It sort of scared me though, b/c I realized
I was talking myself into a certain state. I kept
telling myself I was crazy, kept visualizing myself
in a mental hospital. I realized as I was getting
pulled in deeper and deeper that I was sort of
hypnotizing myself. I got a grip a couple of days
later, and thought "you know, these negative
ruminations can really be dangerous" I could actually
imagine myself talking myself into an actual crazy
state. I realized I was just repeating negative
mantras to myself over and over. So what I'm
trying to do is replace them with positive mantras.
It has REALLY helped. Never underestimate the power
of words. I tell myself I'm practicing "good
word Magic".....here are a few of my affirmations..
I do them while I powerwalk through the woods :-)--more love than fear, more faith than doubt
--competent, confident
--beautiful and REAL, inside and out
--beautiful, wild, and kindRoo
Posted by anna on July 27, 1999, at 14:53:23
In reply to Re: Affirmations, Visualizations, GOOD WORD MAGIC, posted by Roo on July 27, 1999, at 7:38:04
I love the idea of it being GOOD WORD MAGIC because it really does help. i used to be a chronic negative thinker, imagining bad things might happen or that people didnt like me or like what i was wearing etc etc etc. but I have trained my mind to think mainly in a positive way, or at least neutral anyway.
Another bit of magic is just smiling even when no-one else is there or watching a funny video.
I like your affirmations too- I try to make a word using the first letter of each word so in my case its CHECK. Confident Happy Energetic Calm and Kissable. The only one that doesnt work is energetic.........Perhaps I should try and visualise power walking through the woods.Anna
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