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Depression is a liar. If everything looks different when you are depressed, the decreased efficacy of your frontal lobe may have something to do with it.
You're not just feeling depressed, you are thinking depressed. You may make decisions that would not normally make sense to you. Your outlook on the world is distorted by depression.
Lee H. Coleman, Ph.D., ABPP, a clinical psychologist and assistant director and director of training at the California Institute of Technology’s student counseling center and author of the book "Depression: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed," said in an article on Psychcentral.com that cognitive distortions which accompany depression might be an even bigger problem than the depressed mood.
Deborah Serani, PsyD, author of the books "Living with Depression" and "Depression and Your Child," said in an article on Psychologytoday.com that the top cognitive distortions relate to poor problem solving, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
She said that the frontal lobe controls problem-solving and reasoning, as well as the ability to set and achieve healthy goals. Depression knocks the skids out from under all of these abilities and leaves us in a sorry heap.
Depressed people may find themselves making decisions that are self-destructive, creating more problems than they solve. They are in effect believing lies that are a direct result of depression.
They may not ask friends or professionals for help, though they need it. They may stop eating, or they may eat far too much. They may drink too much, or drive too fast. They may not bother with medication that they need.
Here are just a few of the lies depression may be telling you:
1) Nothing I do will make any difference.
Thinking like this leads only to more of the same, in a seemingly neverending spiral of despair. But it isn't true.
So do something that makes a difference. It doesn't have to be something big. Maybe a shower. That may seem too big, but if you can drag yourself into the bathroom, get out of your clothes, turn on the water and throw yourself in, you're halfway there.
Making little changes, one small step at a time, can make a difference. And it's OK to make a difference by doing things for only a minute or two at a time, if that's all you can manage.
2) There's no way out.
This may seem true, what with your debilitated frontal lobe, but remind yourself that there are answers, even if you don't know what they are right now. Sometimes talking to someone else about what you're facing can help to bring in a fresh perspective. At the very least, you may find it comforting to talk to someone who cares.
Remind yourself that depression deflates your ability to think clearly and rationally. Maybe you can see that it makes sense to share your thoughts, fears and dilemmas with someone who is not currently bowed down by a limping frontal lobe.
3) Nothing matters.
Endorphins are pretty scarce when living with depression. High points level out, and trickle down to lower and lower points. It may be true that nothing makes you happy right now. But the idea that nothing matters is a flat-out lie.
Go beyond how you feel, if you can. Remind yourself that the things you used to feel good about are still important. Family? Career? Your home? Your cat? They are still valuable, you are just off your game right now.
4) I'm better off alone and the world is better off without me.
Definitely a lie. The more depressed you are, the more you may avoid being with other people. Being more isolated can then lead to greater depression. There are fewer breakers to stop its waves from overwhelming you.
It may seem completely unnatural, and the last thing you want, but seeking out the company of others may be exactly what you need. If your brain and emotions are out of whack, having access to people who are more fully functional than you, and who have higher regard for you than you do yourself, can only be a good thing.
5) I'll never amount to anything.
Don't believe this lie. What does it even mean? How can someone amount to ... nothing? You may wish you were better at some things, you may not hit your own standards, but I'm going to hazard to guess that there is something you are good at. And even if you truly aren't good at anything, you still would have value just because you are a human being.
Are you good to your dog? Are you punctual? Are you kind? You are good for something. You already amount to something.
6) Suicide is the answer.
Really? Do you think being dead will make you feel better? Your malfunctioning frontal lobe is talking here. Don't believe this lie. Take it as a cue to get help right away. And I do mean, right away. Like, turn away from your computer right now and get help. Give yourself a chance to find that the truth is, getting help is the answer.
Sources:
Cognitive Distortions: The Lies Depression Tells. Psychcentral.com. Retrievd Oct. 13, 2015.
http://psychcentral.com/lib/cognitive-distortions-the-lies-depression-tells
7 Big, Stupid, Destructive Lies Depression Tells You. Psychologytoday.com. Retrievd Oct. 13, 2015.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/two-takes-depression/201403/7-big-s...
Visit Jody's website at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger
Reviewed October 15, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Add a Comment2 Comments
I know how it feels to be depressed, at one point I tried killing myself twice in one week :( If you are stressed I would highly recommend everybody learn how to meditate because ever since I have started I have never been happier. I have improved my life drastically. I have an overall sense of peace with myself and the world. My stress levels have gone to an all time low and It even helps me with my anxiety and panic attacks.
If you want to learn how to meditate I suggest you read this story.
http://anxiousreview.com/learnmeditation/
October 18, 2015 - 1:02pmThis Comment
Depression is a DAILY struggle; it takes hard work to overcome it but there is hope. For anyone suffering from depression, I recommend the http://destroydepression.com/info.html system. Written by James Gordon, a former depression & PTSD sufferer, it teaches 7 natural steps which he used to cure his own depression and has helped thousands.
October 18, 2015 - 8:54amThis Comment