how to like yourself

There needs to be a guide on that topic.

I'm not really sure where to post this, but I trust you guys's advice, so here it is.

I'm in a weird state. Not trying to think too hard on it, but I've been hyper and unable to sleep well for a while. While feeling the same energy I got sucked into feeling a bit depressed about my body image. I think I'm coping fairly well because i've forced myself to sleep and haven't SI'ed and only skipped one meal. Yay for me?

Anyway, while I was trying to figure out WHY I felt so down I wanted to be self destructive, I realized I really don't like myself. I don't know HOW to like myself.

Where do I even start?

Any time my son says anything negative about himself or others I make him say five nice things about himself or the other person. If he has to do it more than once a day they have to be different things. I have no idea if it helps but I try.

MM! I LOVE that idea!

I'm going to make my students do that! bahaha.

CG: I've got lists of things that I like about myself, and lists of things I'm proud of myself for. (I actually made a thread about that in the Self-Esteem forum the other day).

The booklet I'm working on right now for T, which is infuriating for myself, would probably be good for you.

Oh dude! I rock! I just found the entire module online.

Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) - Psychotherapy, Research, Training

That is what my T has me working through. Why don't you start working on it yourself?

Sleep is so important, and I have a feeling a lot your problems will go away with good, steady sleep. My pdoc made that the first priority, and gave Trazodone for my insomnia- 100mg and it's KO Blessings to you , I hope you find a good sleep soon!

Red Panda: Nice!!! You rock! Thank you for sharing this module.

Comicgeek, I relate to the food issues and self-esteem issues. How about we crack open this module and see if it helps?

There's a bunch of other ones on the site too (including the one for bipolar that I had to work through already).

Seeing the list of how many different ones there are... I'm dreading my T giving me another one!

But I think the self-esteem one would be really good for a lot of people.

I'm going to look at that. thanks!

Hi Comicgeek,

I also don't like myself, even use the word hate. I have tried to come up with things I like...end up with an empty list

Just wanted to let u know i relate and I posted this exact question last week on the depression forum - I called it compassion for yourself

I also often don't eat at times nowadays as a way of harming myself.

Here's hoping that we can develop some kindness towards ourselves, and everyone else too

Grace:
Who do you have in your life that's sorta supportive? Friends or family? If you have people like that.. or even your T if you have one? You could ask them. It can be REALLLLLLY hard work to think of things, but if you keep on trying you'll find things out eventually. Maybe not much when you're in the middle of a really bad depression... but when things start to clear up you'll someday find some things that are good qualities for yourself.

Are you a good listener?
Are you a supportive friend?
Are you compassionate towards others?
Do you work hard at things (even if not all the time when you're depressed)?
Are you a caring/kind person? (I can see that you are as you've given out over 700 hugs!)

Hi, thanks, Red Panda, guess I'm just in too deep a depression. I try to say nice things to myself, or to listen when others do (therapist, etc, a friend on the phone), but it's like it doesn't penetrate, I don't feel uplifted or don't believe it. So ya, it's no good

Write them down anyway so that when you're feeling better you can decide if you believe them then Or just make a list of "Other People's Good Opinions Of Me" and while YOU might not personally believe that those qualities describe you.. you'll have to just accept that others do

I HATE the word "whatever." IMO, there is not a ruder word on the planet. You might as well say "I don't give a **** what you are saying" because that's what WHATEVER implies. It enrages me as well and it's become a popular comeback with the teens/20-somethings of which I have two of. They are quickly learning NOT to say it around Mom.

Good luck. -MP-