The symptoms of depression can be expressed in many ways, but in all cases negative thoughts appear. These are ideas related to a pessimistic perception of reality, usually exaggerated to the extreme, and which contribute to the person experiencing them remaining stuck.
In this article we will see a series of negative thoughts very typical in people with depression
Negative thoughts not only appear in people with depression, but they are part of the most typical symptoms of this type of psychological alteration.
On the other hand, it is important to be clear that depression does not arise from having these thoughts persistently in mind. They are another of the clinical manifestations of depression, a consequence of a phenomenon so complex that involves many mental and neurological processes and that cannot be reduced to what we can express through language and concepts in general.
Thus, negative thoughts are one of the superficial facets of depression; but even though they are superficial, they do not stop being relevant, given that keeping the attention on them it greatly undermines people’s quality of life Therefore, it is good to recognize these kinds of ideas and be aware that they do not offer a realistic image of what is really happening around us. In the next lines there are several examples of negative thoughts.
This is one of the negative thoughts that denote apathy, that is, the lack of motivation and initiative, very typical of those who experience symptoms associated with depression.
What is characteristic of this thought is that it is not only believed in intellectually, but also felt to be true. In fact, it responds much more to a state of mind, or to the general lack of energy and enthusiasm for life than to a rational analysis about what life is and whether it is worth living or not.
Therefore, those who feel this way do not even have to make efforts to improve unless someone helps them do so, since they cannot afford to invest work in practically anything.
2. Nothing that happens is authentic
Those who hold this belief adopt a completely passive attitude about what happens to them, and interpret reality in a way similar to someone watching an uninteresting movie.
This is one of the negative thoughts related to derealization, that is, the feeling that what is experienced is not real or it belongs to a plane of reality that is not interesting or is not one’s own.
3. I will never do anything useful with my life
Hopelessness regarding one’s own life project is also expressed through low expectations of oneself and what the future will hold for us. Therefore, this negative thought is one of the most frequent among those who present depressive symptoms.
However, in many cases this belief is not lived in a tragic way. Some people experience depression with deep sadness, but others do not even feel that, and their psychological state has more to do with indifference.
That’s why, the idea that you are not going to progress in life may not cause discomfort and be just more evidence that the future is not relevant because the present is not relevant either.
4. It’s my fault
People who tend to express negative thoughts maintain a style of attributing causes to events in which they are the main victims. The discomfort associated with this pessimism means that in any situation in which there is the possibility of blaming oneself, it is done.
Therefore, many times we fall into the trap of believing that practically everything bad that happens is to blame for ourselves. The explanation is that low self-esteem and lack of motivation to seek more elaborate explanations It leads to focusing on oneself, even in situations where one is the victim.
5. Nobody loves or respects me
This is the ultimate negative thought that damages the social relationships of those who hold it in mind during their daily lives. It is a belief that cuts off the potential emotional ties that we may have with people in our close social circle, and weakens those that were consolidated (such as those with other family members).
We must not forget that negative thoughts are not only directed against ourselves, but also They have consequences on the way we relate to others
What to do to get out of pessimism?
Negative thoughts that have very deep roots in oneself, such as those that appear with depression, they cannot be dispelled only through rationality and reflection Professional help from psychologists or psychiatrists is needed.
