Your Self-esteem And Depression – What Is The Connection?
Your self-esteem and depression are closely related. Suffering from depression or other mental disorders fragments the image you have of yourself, which can lead to low self-esteem. Your mind never stops spending time and energy on your own self-concept, which weakens it even more with constant worry and negative inner dialogue.
Few clinical disorders are as complex as depression. No two patients experience depression in the same way. It is without a doubt a multifactorial, unfortunate and multifaceted disorder. However, there are several common factors that manifest themselves in most clinical cases and make it possible to recognize depression. It is a well-known enemy that uses your mind and mental behavior towards itself.
A recent study published just a few months ago shows that self-esteem is a key component in this type of mental illness. The way you perceive yourself, talk to yourself, and treat yourself gradually changes the architecture of your brain.
One example: MRI scans show that people with low self-esteem actually have less gray matter in different areas of the brain. Not only that, but if you fail to improve your self-esteem or self-esteem, your depression may become more resilient and last for several years. Let us dive deeper into this issue.
Self-esteem and depression: Building your prison of suffering
When someone is depressed, they do not live in the same reality as those around them. This is because depression is, above all, an isolating force. It disconnects people from their surroundings and pushes them slowly but surely inwards. They end up stuck inside their heads, exhausted and injured.
This is the first important thing to be aware of. When you are depressed, certain parts of the brain related to self-awareness, reflection and self-esteem are hyperactive. Your self-esteem and depression are closely linked due to the thought patterns that attack your identity. Your own self-criticism makes you weak. You force yourself to focus on the past: mistakes you have made, pain and loss, suffering, etc.
Stress is the gateway to depression and negative self-esteem
The University of Calgary in Canada recently published a study by Dr. Dencel Kopala. His research sheds light on how negative self-talk contributes to the onset of depression. Similarly , it is important to know that your self-esteem tends to wear down, especially during periods of more stress.
If you do not take care of these tensions and problems, your mind will get used to feeding a pattern of negativity. Thus, it becomes harder and harder to feel optimistic, hopeful and good about oneself. Perhaps the most interesting thing about all of this is that it leads to physical changes in certain areas of the brain.
Self-esteem and depression: Poor self-esteem and gray matter in the brain
A 2014 study by Dr. Johannes Klakl from the University of Salzburg shows some fascinating conclusions about self-image and the brain. The study shows that people with low self-esteem actually have less gray matter. This means that they are more vulnerable to depression.
These patients thus had greater difficulty coping with their emotions. It was also difficult for them to plan and make creative and solid choices to overcome depression and suffering.
The importance of self-talk
Your self-esteem and depression can feed each other, so much so that your low self-esteem and a stressful situation can directly lead to a depressive disorder. This can lead you into a vicious circle, because depression itself tends to attack your already fragmented self-image.
On the other hand, most therapists agree that the way you talk to yourself is the key to recovery. That is, the way you speak, describe, and perceive yourself either strengthens or weakens your mental health.
You deserve to feel good about yourself and feel worthy. Thus, it is crucial to be able to be aware of your self-talk to strengthen your self-esteem and prevent depression.
A healthy (and exciting) connection to your surroundings
Get out of your head and connect to the ‘here and now’. The idea is to break out of the cycle of negative thought patterns. One way to do this is to reconnect with those around you. Look for new experiences and emotions that stimulate your curiosity and excitement. Offer something else to your brain instead of anxiety and negativity.
Self-esteem and depression: A compassionate inner dialogue
Your self-esteem and depression are linked, as your self-talk weakens your self-esteem. It can open a black hole of depression. You need to learn how to talk to yourself in a respectful way. Your inner dialogue should always be kind, compassionate and rewarding.
If you do not treat yourself the way you deserve to be treated, no one will. Self-love and a healthy self-esteem are the best defenses against most mood disorders. Work on this, and never hesitate to seek professional help if you need it.
