Understanding Self-Loathing

Understanding Self-Loathing

Symptoms of self-loathing

People who struggle with depression or anxiety can often have a running internal monologue of self-loathing thoughts. Some of the following may be typical:

- I am worthless.

- I deserve the pain from my mistakes.

- I deserve to be treated poorly.

- I feel things differently than other people - they are better than I am.

- I am weak, pathetic, and too sensitive.

- I am stupid for being hurt by this, and people will laugh at me if I admit that I am hurting.

- I don’t deserve to be comforted.

- People just put up with me.

- I hurt everyone; people should stay away from me.

- People expect the worst of me; why bother trying?

- Everything I do is a disaster.

- I can’t live up to anyone’s expectations.

- I’m a failure at everything.

How to Interrupt Negative Self-Talk:

If you struggle with depression or self-loathing, it is important to see a therapist so that you can work together to find a combination of therapy and medication that can assist you. The following things are commonly used to interrupt negative self-talk and thoughts of despair and worthlessness:

- Treat yourself the way you treat your friends. You deserve better than hating yourself.

- Do something different - stand up, take a walk, sing - to interrupt the negative self-talk.

- Take a few moments and breathe deeply, breathing in your surroundings.

- Talk back to the negative self-talk. If it’s saying, “I’m worthless,” say “I’m awesome.”

- Talk with it; exaggerate whatever the negative self-talk. Either it’ll make you cry or laugh.

- Visualize yourself as a worthy person.

- Question the validity of the negative self-talk.

- Identify the reasons for the negative self-talk, write them down, then come up with reasons that the negative self-talk is wrong.

Source: http://bandbacktogether.com/self-loathing-self-hatred-resources/