Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovebird
In DBT I am learning about opposite-to-emotion action. On the surface, it may look like "fake it till you make it," but the big difference is, you're not denying your true feelings. For example, if I'm feeling sad and want to choose to act opposite, I might put on upbeat music. But I'm still acknowledging that I'm feeling sad. I'm not telling myself, "Hey, I feel great! I'm happy as a clam! Rock on!"
Similarly, getting up and going to work when you don't want to, staying at the party even though you feel like leaving, etc, are "opposite to emotion" actions. But they are done by choice, not because you're denying how you really feel.
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I find that when I am feeling severely depressed upbeat music makes me feel worse...sometimes I simply can't listen to music at all, or if I do it has to be kinda dark music. Also for me it ends up not being 'I don't want to' but more 'I can't even if I did want to'. On my good days where the depression is minimal I can more easily motivate myself and actually have energy for things.