How to Ensure a Self-Destructive Lifestyle

I've written up a list that highlights some of my self-destructive habits:

1. Ruminate on your unhappy childhood & past hurts.

2. Blame others.

3. Don't accept responsibility for your own decisions.

4. Surround yourself with other unhappy, unfulfilled, whiny people.

5. Don't try even small steps in a positive direction.

6. Believe that you can't. You're handicapped in some way.

7. Pamper your low self-worth with destructive habits--overeating, drinking, not exercising.

8. Be lazy.

9. Take your anger & frustration out on your spouse. Then blame him for your cold marriage.

10. Avoid real communication. Deny your faults. Ask questions that you won't like the answers to & get upset.

11. Follow in your parents' footsteps.

12. Feed jealous thoughts.

I've had a lot of practice in all these areas.--Suzy

Hey Suzy - this is an interesting list and obviously you're not doing the second one (because you're acknowledging your contribution)... but how about turning this list around to the positive and make a comparable list of How to Ensure A Constructive Lifestyle?

I just did this to recognize the part I have in making my "own bed" as far as depressive moods & realizing how much I CAN do to help myself by avoiding these attitudes.--Suzy

yeah - that's what I'm saying - your ability to "make your own bed" is really promising and inspirational. It's hard to see our own faults. You're on the right path, IMO! We should all be so objective with ourselves! Brava!!!

You're not alone Suzy,

I have been there/am there too.

We truly are works in progress and you, not only writing this but sharing it, are taking a big step towards change.

Braver than me...I tend to look away from my stuff.

Cleary...there is a difference between some one who suffers from bipolar, borderline, major depression ocd ETC who cannot always control their thoughts and tend to at times be self destruction THEN those who drink, drug, use sex etc to make up for hurts from the past.
Big,Big Difference!
I don't chose to be self destruction when I get those thoughts and voices...but maybe if I just read your list the voices will stop?

Hmmmm good thread...

I'm wondering why someone would use drugs (including alcohol), sex etc to make up for hurts from the past unless they were also suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, etc.

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((Sky)) Hi ya!
So, question...
Do you think everyone who drinks/drugs etc to fill a void or soothe a past hurt clinically falls into a mental illness category?

I don't like to use the term of "mental illness" as it's a broad term and often misused, misunderstood by the general public.

But I would think that if they are seeking escape, using something negative to distract them from past that they haven't worked through, then they ARE disordered aren't they?


Like the swirling ?

Believe in Him or not --- GOD LOVES YOU!

Want to share your Christian faith? Click HERE

Interesting points of view.

Interesting thread....

I'm just speaking for myself here, but I was undiagnosed (bp I) when I was using alcohol to fight depression & to combat my negative thinking & dwelling on the hurts from my past. When I got on the correct medication, I was able to think clearly & the past didn't affect me as much--yeah, it was crappy (bp mother; father & mother were alcoholics; mother's suicide; father's emotional coldness)--but I was able to control my thinking much better. I stopped having delusional thoughts that I couldn't control. I started thinking rationally--all because of the medication. I had an incredible weight lifted off me.

I was finally free to have some self-determination in my life. So I was able to quit abusing alcohol, quit smoking, stopped the overdosing on drugs (at least as often as I did before), etc. The medications helped me immensely. Now I am free to make some choices in how I want to live my life. So I'm trying to tackle my weight issue & forgive myself for a relapse I had a couple months ago when I overdosed. I'm not "cured", but my episodes of depression & mania have been greatly reduced. I do have a mental illness, but I can adjust my environment to the best of my ability to negate some of the mood swings that still occur. Thanks for all the great, thought-provoking responses. This was my 1st time starting a thread & I appreciate you all responding.--Suzy

(((((((((( Suzy )))))))))