We tend to be our own worst critics and fall into the habit of being tough on ourselves. In people with depression, this negativity can tip over into feelings of worthlessness, even self-hate. No depression can get better if that state of mind persists, but it’s not an easy matter to pull out of.
Now Exeter University together with Oxford, and Magdeburg in Germany, has come up with a new form of cognitive behaviour therapy that can make us be kind to ourselves and prime us for healing.
When I look back I realise I had to learn how to go easy on myself because I’m naturally a tough self-critic. One of the ways was to build in small rewards for jobs well done, even just saying to myself “that wasn’t too bad”.
