I have anxiety/depression and have been treated by therapists and Pdoc over 15 years. When my symptoms increase, that is when I decide to find help. I am NOT always maintaining a good balance of spirtual, physical or mental health. If I feel good...I don't question it, I go with the flow. The only time I examine my behavour is when I am feeling the anxiety. The older I get the more I want to find positive healthy coping skills to give me the joys in life that I truly believe I deserve. In my search I have found (which I think I already knew) that my negative thinking is very harmful to my whole well being. I have many self-help books that I have bought over the years and some I haven't even read...maybe it wasn't time then, but I am finding it is time now.

The first book I picked up and wanted to share is "Telling Yourself the Truth" by Wm. Backus and Marie Chapian. I am reading this book a few pages at a time to really absorb what is being said. So far in this book I am learning how my negative thinking is destroying myself. By using sentences that begin with "I shouldn't, I can't" I am telling myself that I am not able to accomplish happiness in life. This morning an exercise that the book suggested was to write down all the negative destructive thoughts I had...even the smallest ones. WOW....I never realized how many negative things I think about myself. I knew I had some common ones like I am fat, I am ugly...but as I wrote things became deeper. No wonder I feel so down...so anxious. How can anyone feel good about themselves with so many negative thoughts. Sure it might be the little negative thoughts that I start out with but in the end....I turn them into false beliefs.

My first path to wellness is to examine my misbeliefs I have taught myself over the years. I will replace the negative thoughts of myself with the positive thoughts. I am going to pay attention more to what I am saying to myself so I can catch those negative thoughts (even the little, tiniest ones) and replace them with more positive thoughts. I know that it takes time to change behaviour patterns but I know I can do it.

Snow