POSITIVE THINKING!!! I WAS WRONG.

[white knight]

For some time I've promoted the concept. To inject positive thoughts in your head to assist in your recovery of depression or maybe permanently change the way you approach life so your day to day routine is energised.

Below are extracts of a newspaper article on this subject that dispells the theory. While I still believe positive thinking can help in some cases, perhaps where medication is right and symptoms subside it could be a welcome addition. However these quotes of this report clearly states that positive motivation is not what is recommended when in deep depression.

by Associate professor Anthony GRANT and Dr Suzy GREEN

How often have you been told to "look on the bright side" or "focus on the good things" when times are tough?It can feel as though every self help book , TV show or family member wants you to stop feeling sad, angry or depressed and find the silver lining in every situation. Proponents of positive thinking would have us believe that it's one of the best ways to boost self esteem, find happiness and even prevent some illnesses such as depression. But how effective is it? According to social psychologist Anthony Grant , the term "positive thinking" is poorly defined and largely misunderstood. For many people it means saying daily affirmations focusing on the good in every situation and putting on a happy face even when its the last thing we feel like doing.

But Grant warns trying to be permanently optimistic about life is highly unrealistic and generally makes you feel worse off in the long run. "It just doesnt work" When people dont allow themselves to think about problems or sadness or any other emotion apart from happiness, it's not helpful at all he explained. "In difficult periods of your life you need to allow yourself to grieve and have a whole range of emotions, because thats part of the natural healing process".

A 2009 study found positive self statements only improve mood and well being in people that already have high self esteem. In people with low self esteem it has the opposite effect.

The above is a revelation.  Readers can google extracts of the above and the Dr's name to seek the full report.  WK

[Choib]

An interesting read White knight. Positive thinking is a simple easy to swallow notion as an easy fix but we humans are deeply emotional and complex and multi layered. Sometimes I see positive thinking as just a mask to put on to sure yourself up for the moment until youre ready to handle the root problem but its not that easy either. When you are really depressed and in despair not only finding a positive thing to focus on seems impossible and really damaging as a reminder of how everything else isnt. Its okay to try, but we tend to beat ourselves up more over not being able. recognizing and acknowledging positive things about yourself when they appear in your mind or from the eyes and mouths of others, well that's just a nice thing to have.

I can only think though 'doing' positive things and if not that then actively 'avoiding' negative things we do is a more realistic approach in our battle with depression and negativity.  so "Do positive" is more a motto Im trying to work on and from that , maybe, in time, I can naturally think positive rather than force it.

[JessF]

Hello white knight, there is a great book called "Smile or Die" which talks about the positive thinking 'industry' in America.  I think there is a difference between the kind of positive thinking you're referred to above, which is sort of like denial, and positive thinking in the sense that you try to 'reprogram' yourself and your thoughts in specific situations to look at things more realistically.  For instance, thinking "everybody hates me" if you have a negative encounter with someone, and taking a step back to ask yourself "is that really true? Or have I just been upset by this one-off encounter with a particular person? And does that person really hate me, or were they just having a bad day?"

[white knight]

Hi ladies,  both the above replies were great and appropriate.

Avoiding negative rather than forcing positive thoughts upon oneself.I never thought of that.  So true and such good advice to the needy that flock these pages.

"Realism" Jess, oh yes, this is true. I've been an advocate of 'being realistic' with thoughts. I spent many appointments with a good therapist who always asked "are you being realistic" with my imagination following a serious anxiety episode. That was in 1987 and today I still ask myself that often so as to keep myself in check.

I'm very interested in these topics. I enjoy helping others here and owe it to them to hone my skills and knowledge I pass on. 

[Ean]

Hi there,

I've been reading about Neuro Plasticity, an old science that has become....high end fru fru mad science....Kaching!

for me its mad science stating the bleeding obvious...of course 'permanent' happiness (in our society) would be unrealistic. I can't help but feel Prof Grant and Dr Green only know depression from empirical statistical observation, offering a broad safe argument.

My experience with...'positivity' and self talk by replacing particular negative words and statements that become so regular they become automatic, they are there before "I" can decide (as white knight also seems to do)..stop have that second thought..."is that real, do I really want that, feel that". I've been doing it for years, still doing. Just last night I found myself about to say to myself "I'm going to...........///eat some lollies, it amuses me now. For many dark years and times that statement and the like to myself repetitively contributed greatly to my stagnation. (notice I refuse to even give the full statement...when "I'm going to....,now,its always replaced with a positive (a gift to me).

What can I say I'm just 55, can't believe I'm still here. Don't know if that's a sign that it works for me or not....here I am. (seemingly doing well, possibly denying something) My affirmations and self talk have become a force, a reminder of my ability to choose better.

I will to will, thy will. This is as good as it gets. wisest is he who knows he does not know. All healing stuff.

Thankyou for a topic that I love to explore

Words are all powerful, choose wisely

Ean

[white knight]

Yes Ean, there is a place for change- to positive. Replacing negative terminology with positive words.

You hear them regularly often from teens "I cant do that"....."I'm not even going to try...what's the point"?  etc. Replaced with "I'll give it a go" and "it might lead to something".

I suppose we have a case for "passive positivity"....  or "realistic proportionate optimism

WK

[Ean]

Thanks WK, its the self fulfilling prophecy at work, I think when depressed or the like you've/I've got to keep a vigilant check on it...and stay off the slide.

Ean.