[Pierro]

Have you ever felt that part of the reason you are depressed is because you are around people that have bad energy, people that always look on the negative side of things. I have thought about this a lot and have been around the negative persons and the positive ones. I have just realised how much their positive/negative outlook affected the way I think. Maybe I am just a weak minded person but if you are around negative people all the time I think part of this negativity rubs off on you... So I have tried to keep away from the people that make me feel bad about myself and I think it helps me deal with depression, a little bit easier. I am not saying that I live in a bubble because life is positive/negative. Does anyone think it helps them to try and have a better outlook?

[WhatDayIsItAgain]

I agree, negative people and even worse, mean people do not help at all. Avoidance is more than a response to abuse it is proactive healthy self protection at it's finest.

Subtle insults can be more painful to our self image than flat out namecalling.

[Rohag]

Hello, Pierro!

Originally Posted by Pierro

if you are around negative people all the time I think part of this negativity rubs off on you...

Agreed. Although there may be exceptionally "strong" or "detached" individuals who are influence-resistant, I believe the vast majority of us absorb what's in our psycho-social environments, some more and others less.

In my own case, no matter how it began, depression has developed a life of its own and has not apparently diminished as I've withdrawn from most live negative influences. Nevertheless, I think your policy of avoiding people who provoke negative thoughts about yourself is a legitimate and perhaps necessary self-care measure.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Hello, Pierro!

Agreed. Although there may be exceptionally "strong" or "detached" individuals who are influence-resistant, I believe the vast majority of us absorb what's in our psycho-social environments, some more and others less.

In my own case, no matter how it began, depression has developed a life of its own and has not apparently diminished as I've withdrawn from most live negative influences. Nevertheless, I think your policy of avoiding people who provoke negative thoughts about yourself is a legitimate and perhaps necessary self-care measure.

[Skeezyks]

The Skeezyks makes a habit of keeping away from everyone... period...

[ToeJam]

I agree, I think the negativity that was present at the time had a lot to do with my initial nervous breakdown and subsequent admission to hospital (doesn't help that I take things very literally, so metaphors or just general grumping can seem like stark reality). Things have improved but it's been a long road regarding rebuilding my self confidence and overall outlook.

The poem 'Desiderata' which I think was written in the 1920's covers this quite well in the line 'avoid loud and aggressive people, they are vexatious to the spirit'.