My Seoul is in Korea

Depression Survey for A Level Psychology

Please take just a minute to complete my survey on the treatments of depression for Psychology. Thanks. I love you guisse.

Advising people with depression is hard, simply because they’re hard to advise. Depending on the degree of depression, they often put obstacles in the way of everything people try to do to help. The way I brought it up with one of my friends was simply to bring it up in conversation; I told her about it and said “If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me.” Just let her know that you are there to support her and help her through whenever she needs it. It’s important also to find a balance between being there to motivate her and leaving her alone to do it herself. Above all, let her know that, even when it seems like there’s nobody and she’s completely alone, that you are there for her. It can be very difficult, especially if people’s negativity gets you down but make sure she knows you’re always there. I tell my best friend every day, maybe so much that it gets annoying - but if something annoys you, at least you know it’s there. Hope this helps. If you need more advice, don’t hesitate to ask.

How many of you hate yourself? Are depressed? Have considered or attempted suicide?

I have.

The difference between myself and many of the people I see who are like this, is that I gave myself the power to get out.

It’s not that simple. I hear you say. There’s no way out.

That is the first misconception you have to challenge.

The only way to begin the ‘healing process’ (for want of a better term) is to address your negative thoughts and challenge them with logic.

Misconception: There is no way out.

If this were true, I would not be here.

My two best friends would not be here.

My mother would not be here.

My father would not be here.

I know too many people who are or have been depressed. The positive side? They’re still here.

I had no treatment, no medication and no therapy for the two years of depression I suffered. I had to self-recover.

One key method I used was something I stumbled across in a book: affirmations.

If you don’t know what an affirmation is: Affirmations are statements you repeat that affect the subconscious mind.

Negative affirmations lead to depression.

Depression leads to negative affirmations.

It’s a catch-22, and the key is first to break the cycle. The affirmation I used was “I love and approve of myself”. It is a very powerful affirmation and, sincerely, it works.

Write it on your mirror. Post it on stickynotes. Wherever you will see it often, write it. Most importantly, look in the mirror and say it aloud. You will feel silly at first - I did - but it starts to work. You start to believe it. Let yourself believe it.

You can get out. Misconception diminished.

—-

In order to make yourself believe your positive affirmations, you must first destroy negative misconceptions about yourself. Challenge them with logic.

Misconception: Everybody hates me.

Logically, this is impossible. You do not know the whole world. The whole world does not know you.

The definition of the word ‘hate’: to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest.

Put aside your negative affirmations. Who hates you?

You perceive this universal hate because you hate yourself.

More logic: Write a list of people you dislike. How likely is it that all of these people dislike you? And if they do, does it matter? If you dislike these people, why do you want them to like you?

Accept that there will always be people who dislike you, the same way that there will always be those you dislike. Not everybody gets along. That’s just how it is.

The whole world cannot hate you. Not everybody gets along. Misconception diminished.

—-

Misconception: I deserve to die.

Why?

I’m ugly: Your physical attractiveness to a minority does not influence your deservingness of life.

I’m stupid: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein.

What do you consider ‘stupid’? Find your actual talents. Juice them until you feel you can do something well. Try new things. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we get things wrong. Don’t beat yourself up about it. When you tell yourself you’re always wrong, you start to believe it. Your academic capacity does not influence your deservingness of life.

I’m a bad person: Don’t compare yourself to that goody-two-shoes popular kid at your school or some guy who saved a cat from a tree. You are never going to be a super hero. Judge yourself on whether or not you try to be the best version of YOU that you can be.

Other negative beliefs: Get rid of them. Positive affirmations are the way.

You deserve to live. Misconception diminished.

—-

Weird: If you do not behave, dress and conform to the rest of society, you are weird. Do not simply accept it, embrace it. When people call you weird, smile and say thankyou. I have learnt to take it as a compliment. After all, weird is just another word for INDIVIDUAL.

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Beauty is within your core. The only ugly people are those who make themselves ugly. You are not a bad person, therefore you are beautiful. Do not let society’s warped misconceptions of beauty influence how you see yourself. Stop comparing and start loving yourself.

The whole world does not hate you. Somebody loves you. Your family love you. Your friends love you.

Talk to somebody.

• Your parents
• Your friends
• Your counsellor/therapist
• Your siblings

I do not have an anon option, but I do not judge anybody. If you need to talk to a stranger, I am here. Please, never feel alone.

You are a beautiful, wonderful person. Have a day as lovely as you.

I came to Tumblr as a place of self-expression…

…but all I see is supression and narcissism.