5 negative thoughts typical of depression

Various ideas and beliefs that offer a pessimistic view of reality and life.

The symptoms of depression can be expressed in many ways, but in all cases it happens that negative thoughts appear. These are ideas related to a pessimistic perception of reality, usually exaggerated to the extreme, and that contribute to the person experiencing them to remain stagnant.

In this article we will look at a series of very typical negative thoughts in the people with depression..

The most frequent negative thoughts

The negative thoughts do not only appear in people with depression, but they are part of the most typical symptoms of this kind of psychological alteration.

On the other hand, it is important to be clear that depression does not arise because of having these thoughts persistently in mind. They are another of the clinical manifestations of depression, a consequence of such a complex phenomenon that involves many mental and neurological processes. involves many mental and neurological processes, and which cannot be and which cannot be reduced to what we can express through language and concepts in general.

Thus, negative thoughts are one of the superficial facets of depression; but not because they are superficial do they cease to be relevant, since keeping the attention on them the quality of life of the persons concerned.. Therefore, it is good to recognize these kinds of ideations and to be aware that they do not offer a realistic picture of what is really happening around us. In the following lines there are several examples of negative thoughts.

1. There is no point in getting out of bed.

This is one of the negative thoughts that denote abulia, i.e., lack of motivation and initiative, very typical of those who experience symptoms associated with depression.

The characteristic of this thought is that it is not only believed intellectually, but also felt to be true. In fact, it responds much more to a state of mind, or to a general lack of energy and enthusiasm. to a general lack of energy and enthusiasm for lifethan to a rational analysis of what life is and whether it is worth living or not.

For this reason, those who feel this way do not even have to make efforts to improve themselves unless someone helps them to do so, since they cannot afford to invest work in practically anything.

2. Nothing that happens is authentic.

Those who hold this belief adopt a completely passive attitude towards what is happening to them, and interpret reality in a way similar to someone who is watching an uninteresting movie.

This is one of the negative thoughts related to derealization, i.e., the feeling that what one is experiencing is not real, the feeling that what one is experiencing is not realor belongs to a plane of reality that is of no interest or is not one's own.

I will never do anything useful with my life.

Hopelessness about one's own life project is also expressed through low expectations of oneself and what the future will bring. That is why this negative thinking is one of the most frequent among those who present depressive symptoms.

However, in many cases this belief is not experienced in a tragic way. Some people experience depression with deep sadness, but others do not even feel that, and their psychological state has more to do with indifference.

That's why, the idea that one is not going to make progress in life may not cause discomfortIt may be just further evidence that the future is not relevant because the present is not relevant either.

4. The fault is mine

People who tend to manifest negative thoughts sustain a style of attributing causes to the facts in which they are the main detriment. The discomfort associated with this pessimism makes that in any situation where there is the possibility of blaming oneself, it is done.

Thus, many times we fall into the trap of believing that we are to blame for practically everything bad that happens. The explanation is that low self-esteem and lack of motivation to look for more elaborate explanations leads one to focus on oneself, even in situations where one is the victim.

5. Nobody loves or respects me

This is the ultimate negative thought that damages the social relationships of whoever holds it in mind during the day to day. It is a belief that cuts the potential affective bonds that we can have with people of our close social circle, and weakens those that were consolidated (as for example those that exist with other members of the family).

It should not be forgotten that negative thoughts are not only directed against oneself, but also have consequences on the way in which we think about ourselves. have consequences on the way in which we relate to others..

What to do to get out of pessimism?

Negative thoughts that have deep roots in oneself, such as those that appear with depression, cannot be dissipated just by using a simple method, cannot be dissipated only through rationality and reflection.. Professional help from psychologists or psychiatrists is needed.

To learn more about how to contact mental health professionals, see this article: How to find a psychologist for therapy: 7 tips".

Bibliographical references:

• Beck, J. (1995). Terapia cognitiva: conceptos básicos y profundización. Gedisa Editora.
• Bellino, S.; Patria, L.; Ziero, S.; Rocca, G.; Bogetto, F. (2001). "Clinical Features of Dysthymia and Age: a Clinical Investigation". Psychiatry Review. 103 (2-3): 219 - 228.