low self esteem

Hi everyone,
I just returned home a few days ago after my first hospitalization for bipolar depression. I was there for one week and my symptoms did improve significantly. I felt very hopeful the day I was discharged, but yesterday while visiting a friend in the hospital, I felt very, very sad. This again sparked incessant negative thinking, feeling very overwhelmed, and depressed. My doctor in the hospital pointed out that I have very low self-esteem which is a huge factor in my depression. I was verbally/emotionally abused by my oldest brother as a child and neglected emotionally by my dad. I've talked about it quite a bit in therapy over the last several years. At times during these years I have been able to feel good about myself, but these negative thoughts and beliefs seem to always return. I'm trying really hard to challenge my thinking but it can be exhausting as my wounds run very deep. Today I feel better than yesterday...a bit slowed down from Seroquel (new med) and my new sleeping medication, but I am still feeling overwhelmed and discouraged because I am unsure of how and if I can truly feel good about myself. I will be starting therapy again soon and have some hope that it could help but I don't know.

Do any of you have any advice on how to heal from low self-esteem?

If you can find the strength within you to find and helo those less fortunate than you. When you smile and all the sadness leaves their face. Or when you hug someone and they hold on tight like their life depended on it...you'll find your heart....your spirit....your life...in a different place and time....it rekindles you.

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I know that this might not be much, but I try to just do some little things for myself. Sitting with a cup of tea and reading, having some nice chocolate or a mocha, soaking in a bath listening to music. It's just a way to remind myself that I have value and it's ok to believe so. (They also don't take much energy, when depression hits I'm usually very tired.) Maybe have a list of things that might work the same for you?