[sito]

I lost my confidence due to depression. I doubt my decisions about many things.

Is there a way to regain confidence?

I think there is.

Take a look at the core negative beliefs you have - particularly those that affect your self worth. That is where to start your work to challenge those thoughts and how you might improve your confidence.

If you are up to it, give the following strategy a go:

Write yourself a little list of why you believe those things and give consideration to if they are in fact true - and why they aren't. Have you actually been responsible for those on the negative list? The things on the list that have led to negative thinking about yourself may be changeable; consider how you might be able to do so.

It might be useful to look up on the internet the 10pt list of "Cognative Negative Distortions". You might surprise yourself. Ask yourself whether these are truly realistic.

[frankenhooker90]

try reading books on gaining confidence find the right one for you and read it over and over again till the points get affirmed in your head that's worth a try.

[stewartmays1]

i find working out really boosts my self confidence and getting active

Originally Posted by sito

I lost my confidence due to depression. I doubt my decisions about many things.

Is there a way to regain confidence?

Depression gives you the way of thinking to procrastinate, and do nothing. Procrastination and do-nothingism deplete your confidence. So, you either start with your thoughts, or with your work to regain confidence.

[PieceofMe]

Originally Posted by Nickname

Depression gives you the way of thinking to procrastinate, and do nothing. Procrastination and do-nothingism deplete your confidence. So, you either start with your thoughts, or with your work to regain confidence.

yeah, I need to start doing **** too. life has been hard but i gave up. I am afraid to fail but know I am not getting better by not trying. It's a catch 22 situation I think.

[Fuzzybear]

Core Negative Beliefs

research and read...

Anyone who tries to feed you simplistic and sad bs lines like "confidence comes from doing things" is to be avoided...

Maybe that MIGHT? .. Help a 3 year old? But if fed with no compassion then avoid like you'd avoid a dog with rabies

(This is not about anyone on PC)

Originally Posted by Anonymous37784

I think there is.

Take a look at the core negative beliefs you have - particularly those that affect your self worth. That is where to start your work to challenge those thoughts and how you might improve your confidence.

If you are up to it, give the following strategy a go:

Write yourself a little list of why you believe those things and give consideration to if they are in fact true - and why they aren't. Have you actually been responsible for those on the negative list? The things on the list that have led to negative thinking about yourself may be changeable; consider how you might be able to do so.

It might be useful to look up on the internet the 10pt list of "Cognative Negative Distortions". You might surprise yourself. Ask yourself whether these are truly realistic.

[eskielover]

I lost what little confidence I had until for me, it took leaving the bad environment I was in. Surrounded now by wonderful people who care, who are a support network I never had before, people I can share & discuss things with & who I can truly emotionally connect with. Some are people I dont even always agree with but we do care & support each other.

I also found for me that I got involved in an amazing DBT group unlike any I have ever heard have been like. The leader taught it like a college class about how the mind actually works then helping us learn skills we never learned or knew to use before & helped & encouraged practice until they became part of our life. At least that's how it worked for me. Confidence has grown or regrown. I graduated the univ with a BS in accounting information systems with a minor in comp sci & held down a computer design engineering career for 15 years but always struggled with some level of lack of confidence, feeling I always had to work twice as hard to accomplish what came more natural to everyone else. Lived that way my whole life fighting for my independence though most never saw that internal battle going on in me. It was my environment I grew up in that I fought to get out of that was the worse on my confidence.

But now I feel free & in breaking away from the environment & the stress it caused it opened my mind to be even more capable of learning & understanding which in turn has definitely boosted my confidence though there are times when twinges of the past still haunt me, I've been gone 9 years now & it gets better constantly. Starting to trust the decisions I make but having close friends i TRUST I'm capable of discussing things with before making decisions has been key also. People I can share my frustrations with who are capable of understanding.....all this has gone into almost growing into a new person or maybe letting out the REAL person who has been trapped inside for so long.

I used to be afraid to participate in discussions for fear I would sound stupid like I always saw my dad doing. I have grown to realize that my thoughts do have value & aren't just superficial as I felt them to be. Just by talking with the people around me I have really connected with & have validated that my thoughts were of value.

All these things i have felt are a part of gaining or regaining confidence in ones life.