[jefftele]

i know guilt ,being unable to forgive myself is a symptom of depression ,but i have a constant nagging in my mind about a wrong deed i've done in the past ,no i've not started or war or killed anyone ,yet my guilt goes on and on .i get into ;if i confess my sins my confusions would go ? yes i was brought up catholic!! i know that the ultimate person to forgive myself is me , at times i feel it is the depression talking ,other times i feel i've committed the worst act in the world ,anyone have this and if so ,how to get out of it thanks

[Wants2Fly]

Hi Jefftele -- Certainly, talking it over with a trusted person, be it minister, therapist, or close friend, may help you to put it in perspective.

I have often found that the things I considered my big, bad secrets were absolutely laughable to other people. I confess my sin, and the person responds, "Oh that's nothing. Listen to what I did."

[meander]

Jeff,

I know what you mean. I constantly feel guilty about some things I've done, and I don't feel I deserve the life I have now. I've tried talking it over with friends and my boyfriend, and apologising to those people who I'm able to (and been forgiven by them too). My friends don't think it's anything too terrible, but I still can't shake the guilt. It's with me all the time.

So no, no solutions sorry, but you're not alone. Maybe the depression exaggerates it?

[Direction]

I agree with both responses so far...

Jeff,
If it's bothering you this much then yes, go and talk to someone about it-it sounds to me that you feel a need to take responsibility for it. ((((((Jeff))))))))

[jefftele]

thanks for the replies ,most folk have done stuff they've regretted ,it my depression i feel that constantly wears me down,wish i had the answer.i read in a book on cbt and depression it suggests it is the all/nothing ,black /white thinking in depression that causes so much trouble,it went on to suggest that we have to learn to tolerate discomfort in our lives over dilemmas and difficulties, i i'm doing something wrong--wish i knew what it was!!!

[Direction]

Black and White has gotten me in a lot of trouble too...

[Hopes]

I walk around feeling guilty all the time, just ask anyone who has talked to me on these boards! I have no reason to feel bad anymore but I still do. I have talked to many, so called "confessed my sin to god" I feel the same as you. I know how you feel and just know you are not alone in this! There are a lot of us who "KNOW" exactly where you are coming from. I hope this helped you at least a little bit.

Hopes

[tranquility]

Hi there,

For me, I think sometimes I get so familiar with a feeling that even though I don't like it - I won't let go of it.

For instance, years ago I truly believed that I would see dead people on the highway while driving. I don't know why - but as I drove I would obsess with looking at the grass next to the breakdown lane. My T asked if I felt responsible if there were dead people there and I said "of course I would be".

I didn't know why I felt that way, just like I didn't know why I always felt so guilty about everything. Responsible for everyone and everything. But I think it's because the way I conditioned myself for so many years.

You can break out of it but it takes alot of work and practice. You have to really challenge every thought you have. So if you're feeling guilty ask yourself why. If it's because you think you are responsible for something, ask yourself questions as if you were asking a best friend. If your advice to your best friend would be that they aren't responsible and shouldn't feel guilty, then that should be the same words you repeat to yourself.

Not sure if this makes sense, sometimes it's hard to put into words what I'm thinking.

Tranquility