Self Talk for Depression

Using positive self talk for depression is an effective way to cope and even recover from this debilitating disorder.

Depression has a history of creating catastrophes in the mind. This keeps your mind focused on negative thinking and also aids in the spiral down into those deep, dark places where depression likes to dwell.

Self talk for depression must always be truthful, validating, positive and encouraging. Since depression causes low self image, it is important to reduce all negative thinking and critical self talk.

When it comes to depression, self talk is extremely important, especially since our thoughts influence how we feel emotionally and physically. Depression enables you to become your own worst enemy. Most times, we would never talk to others the same way we talk to ourselves.

Recognize Automatic Negative Thoughts

It is important to recognize all automatic negative thoughts. These are the thoughts that come naturally to a depressed mind. They are usually thoughts like: "I am not good enough, I am not beautiful, nobody loves me, things won't ever change, etc." Any thought that consumes your mind and brings forth negative feelings are considered negative thoughts.

If you are unsure what these thoughts are, you can take time each day to get in touch with your subconscious mind through journal writing. Journaling can help you get in touch with those thoughts. When you write them down, you will notice which thoughts persist the most and which thoughts need to be addressed right away.

If you don't have a notebook or a journal and don't want to blog online, be sure to print up a Journal Entry worksheet for your convenience.

What Should Self Talk for Depression Sound Like?

Since depressed thinking and negative self talk is based on ones own personal perception, there is no "one fits all" self talk for depression. Therefore, you must customize your new self talk according to your own automatic negative thoughts that are already there.

Once you have identified your automatic negative thoughts, you can dispute those thoughts by asking yourself, "Is this thought true?" Be honest with yourself by writing down replacement thoughts that are truthful, and more encouraging. Although, you do not want to deny how you are thinking or feeling, the goal is to be more realistic and optimistic in your approach.

Self talk for depression should sound something like this:

Depression will not last forever.
I am not hopeless or helpless.
I can make myself feel better by telling myself the truth with an attitude of optimism.
I am okay. I am getting better everyday.
I am a wonderful, unique person.
I will recover from depression.
I no longer accept negative thinking as part of who I am.
When I notice negative thoughts coming into my mind, I quickly let these thoughts go and replace them with truthful, positive thoughts.
I am a loving and kind person.
I have the ability to help others and help myself.
I am loved and I am worthy of love.
I can ask for help when I need it.
It's okay to feel the way I do.
I search for the positive in every situation.
I enjoy being a positive thinker.
Today is a good day. My mind and body are healing.
These challenges in life only make me stronger.
I am overcoming these challenges.
I am peaceful and content.
I no longer sabotage my happiness with negative thinking. Instead I think on positive things.
Each day I see myself becoming more successful.
I give myself permission to be happy and to feel joy inside.
I choose to forgive those who have offended me in any way.
I see the good around me and the good in other people. I see the good in myself.
I am not perfect. Nobody is perfect.
I let go of all anger and frustration. I no longer have room for these things in my life.
I am in full control of the thoughts I think. I think only those thoughts that are beneficial to me.
I am confident and I am getting stronger everyday.
I love myself and have compassion for others.
I am confident and capable of reaching my goals.
I enjoy life and the many opportunities before me.
I resist all negativity and draw close to things that strengthen and empower me.
I think only on those things that promote a healthy mind and body.
I take the time to invest in myself and my own happiness.
I am human. It's okay to make mistakes. I don't have to be perfect.
With each breath I take, I feel more focused than before.
Peace and calm fill my mind.
I am no afraid of how I am feeling. My feelings will not hurt me.

Remember, our thoughts determine how we feel and how we act. Keep your thoughts right and watch what happens! I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the results of positive self talk for depression.

"As a man thinketh....so is he." - Proverbs 23:7

Self Talk for Depression in Printable Format

To make things even more convenient for you, I have put these statements into a PDF file, so you can print them out and take them with you anywhere and practice them at any time.

To print this page, simply click Self Talk for Depression File to open and then choose print. To save this file, right click the file and choose "save as" to your desktop.

Won't open? Free Adobe Reader® can open this file.

For a pre-recorded MP3 of this Self Talk for Depression File, Then be sure to visit Self Talk MP3 Downloads