Boosting of self-esteem

[Neil_1]

Hi good people of Beyond Blue;

Without doubt a key factor that contributes to our mental health issues is the complete lack of self esteem that we have of ourselves.  We consider ourselves of not being worthy, not being able to achieve tasks and completely lacking in skills of life.  There's possibly other things as well, but I'll stop at that.  Also comparing ourselves to other people - I think that's a "no-no" of monumental proportion.  Every one is different - everyone has their own personalities, traits and skills - but you know what, I bet everyone has their own issues and while we may see someone else as being:  "popular, confident, seemingly doing well for themselves and perhaps even in a relationship or not" things don't always appear as they seem with that person - so don't compare yourself with others.

Back to self-esteem.  I was shown just recently an exercise where I had to get my age (and so this can be done by EVERYONE, because we all have an age) and divide your age into 3 sections.  I'm 48;   so mine was from:

0 - 16;    17 - 33  &  34 - 48  (something like that anyway)

Each of these is a heading and then below that type up "dot points" for things that you achieved between those ages - and dear people, it can be anything - anything and everything.

eg:  0-16:  I'd learned to walk, talk, run, ride a bike, how to write, how to read, play different sports;  I was quite successful as a cricketer, so I bang on a lot more about my cricketing achievements.

17-33:  move from country town to city and find a job - and so earn money - more sporting achievements, etc etc.

They aim for this is to produce 101 items (as a minimum).  But hey, don't stress it if you can't - commence it;  save it and go back to it.  It's a "living" document - where it can be added to at any time in the future.  Maybe by new achievements/successes or that you've remembered another achievement from your past.

And then keep looking at it and going over it;  over and over it and embed these images in your head.  That you ARE a brilliant person, you are a SPECIAL person, that you HAVE achieved a massive amount in your life.

For those wishing to extend yourself, I've actually just thought of a new column:   for achievements that you'd like to accomplish in your future:   that could be anything:  like hitting a hole in one in golf, to finding that special man/woman in your life, to backing the trifecta in the Melbourne Cup;  to seeing a Justin Beiber concert, to going on a holiday overseas.

Anything dear people - the power is in your fingers to type away - the power is in your mind to produce these lists.

GO FOR IT.

Neil

ps:  I was totally kidding about the Justin Beiber comment!  No "hate" responses please.  🙂

[the_motorcycle_boy]

Hi Mares,

That's ok about the book. I just really hope it gives you the answers you're looking for. I think it will. It's not easy though as you have to do exercises etc throughout. For me, it explained all I needed to know about having a healthy self esteem. It "unlocked" many essential things I did not know. And that's what made it different from other self help books I'd read. Anyway, I get carried away!

You are reading a lot, I guess you get something out of everything you read. My reading involves looking at the posts here and doing a Scriptwriters course.

I am going ok. Recovering from a long term depression. Feeling more normal each day which is good. Fluctuating moods but still improving. Seeing my psyche every 3 months. He is doing ok (lol)

All the best

Henry

[Mares73]

Hi Henry can I ask what contributed to your recovery or at least got you out of deep depression? Mares x

[the_motorcycle_boy]

Hi Mares,

I first got sick years ago. My depressive illness didn't respond to medication and since I was a danger to myself I chose to have E.C.T. This worked marvelously well and I made a great recovery. After 18 months I went off medication and fell sick again not long after. After a few more months I tried E.C.T. again but this time had no change for the better. Since then my recovery has been continual but very slow.

Things that have helped me have been medication, my self-esteem book, psychiatrists and a rehabilitation group who provided me with volunteer work, friends and a place to live.

Now, I am almost better, just waiting for symptoms to subside completely.

Wow, just reading your other post again, you are an avid reader! I like Hermann Hesse's books especially "Siddhartha".

All the best

Henry

[Neil_1]

Hi Maresy  

Firstly that’s a great story by you Henry … congrats on the progress you’ve made.  And thanx for providing it too – it’s always so inspiring to hear of people’s successes with this dark illness.  

So I’m gathering that today is Monday and this might well be the day you head home Mares.  I hope you’re doing ok – inside your head and you’re trying to take some of the positives that you experienced when you were away with you.  

 I see my psychiatrist every so often – he does do my meds, but I’ve been seeing him for 10 years and he knows all my issues, inside and out and back to front.   I also see my GP fairly regularly and I see my psychologist when I feel like I need it – which is at this point in time … but I don’t know about any 10 medicare sessions.  I get 6 sessions via my mental health check plan thingy – but I do pay full fee for my psych and then I get a percentage back from Medicare for that – is that what you were meaning?  But it’s not all covered and it’s still a fair whack that I have to pay.  Not to mention my 3 lots of meds and one of them in particular is pretty nasty (price wise).   Yes all the three abovementioned folk are good – caring and understanding, supportive and more importantly KNOW about depression.  

That would have been so weird for you … you should have swapped seats with them and hand them the tissues – at the end, you should have walked them out and thanked them for your time.  

Kind regards  

Neil