Happy Holidays in Spite of

[Cheetahone]

Happy Holidays to everyone in this group, in Spite of the negative thoughts and feelings you may be experiencing.

I figure, that if you can have negative feelings and thoughts that you can’t explain or want, you can instead have Positive thoughts and feelings that you can’t explain but Do Want.

This is backed up by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which helps replace negative emotions and triggers with positive ones. I recommend it to everyone in addition to any other techniques like medication. It is a lot like learning a new habit, and I have learned that CBT can be practiced outside of a therapy session as it’s designed for.

So be cheerful, happy and excited in spite of your condition and enjoy yourself as much as you can, as you give yourself your own present as much and often as you want or need. You are a great person. So, you Deserve the greatness that comes from a great life.

Wishing the best for all of you for these and future days. I will be thinking good and healthy thoughts and wishes for you all.

[linuxusr]

Yeah, Cheetahone, "Happy Holidays in Spite of" sums it up pretty well. I'm 71 and I recall the Christmas classic of my parents' generation, in the United States, "I'll Be Home for Christmas (If Only in My Dreams). And this captures the sadness of memories of past prescious experiences of being loved (hopefully), in ways that are lost forever and can only be remembered. And this song was popular for everyday folk, not specificially for those like us who suffer from anxiety and/or depression! So, for us, it could be worse. On the recent Thanksgiving, me no longer living in the United States, it was devastating and I was very depressed; today on Christmas, being mindful that this CAN be a sad time, I've done better connecting and feel a little better, mostly light depression but mostly OK.

I don't know anything about CBT. You mention techniques that you can use even if you are not in session. Can you give an example of one?

[Cheetahone in reply to linuxusr]

Hi linuxusr,

Yes, for example one practice CBT technique is to Replace a negative thought with a positive one, and repeat and believe that you are right in replacing the negative.

An example might be to Replace “I’m depressed over past events “, with “I’m glad and happy that those events are over and won’t happen again “. This positive attitude is true and therefore believe it.

CBT is a short term therapy so you can look forward to it and know that solutions are available and within reach.

Hope this works and hang in there youngster.

[linuxusr in reply to Cheetahone]

Youngster? What the heck?! Hmm. For example, today I am lightly depressed because it is Christmas and I haven't spoken with anyone all day, even though I've tried--all busy. So if I repeat that "I am not depressed" I will feel better even if there is a reason for my depression? I don't understand it. To put it bluntly, it seems like lying to me!

[RemySue]

CBT was a life changer for me. I also listen to Diana Swillinger Renew Your Mind podcast about reframing your thoughts. It is Christian based, but I'm sure there are similar ones out that aren't-she got me through last Christmas. I've had terrible bouts of anxiety and depression, and this is the first Christmas in a while that I actually didn't fall apart. It is work and I constantly have to talk to myself but I am so much better. Best of luck to everyone struggling