"So Doctor, does positive affirmation really works and helps me with my depression?"
I think it really depends.
In my opinion, it is more likely to be effective if you keep the following simple rules in mind:
- It has to be realistic
- It has to be believable by you. This is what I think is the most important feature. For example, you cannot tell yourself that you still look young like a 21yo when you are 50. But what is more "believable" is that you can say, "Iam pretty good for a 50yo."
- We communicate with our "subconscious mind" through a number of senses, so the more senses we employ, the better. What do I mean by this? Well, when you try to say something positive to yourself, say it, hear it, feel or sense it, and visualize it.
- Your behaviour has to be congruent with what you say. For example, you cannot say, "Iam going to feel great today. and things will be great!" when your body posture and tone of voice is more congruent with hopelessness and despair.
- You have to mean it because if you don't, your "positive affirmation" will just come across as sarcasm perhaps.
Try to do it more often. A gratitude diary is in essence the same. I think that it can be a useful tool to remind our "subconscious mind" that not everything is doom and gloom. Unfortunately, the media sometimes does not help with this aspect.
