Psychologist On The Problem W/ Positive Affirmations

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Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens
Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers
Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum
Editor: Juan Carlos Zuniga

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[emilywatchesmovies]

I think affirmations are a little boost to help you keep a good mindset. Its like your personal cheerleader, but you still have to play the game, you know?

[cmclaren]

Many of my clients were taught, by their family of origin, to use negative thinking. They framed everything negatively. That helped to lead them to substance abuse, low self esteem, poor performance, lack of social engagement, etc. Affirmations were a way of retraining. They don't get rid of all problems, but they help to start a process.

[HunBunInTheSun]

I'm SCREAMINGGG. This is so real. You don't just live. Laugh. Love. Out of mental illness! I wish my family would hear this.

[ashwhit]

As someone who as dealt with mental issues from an extremely young age, I really appreciate the guest’s approach. I was constantly told “just change you mindset” and as much as I tried I could not just simply “change my mindset” and it made me feel even worse bc I felt like I should have been able to fix it by…changing my mindset…but it didn’t help me at all. I couldn’t just “change my mindset”

[TomJay]

It's nice to hear professionals say this. Ive suffered from mental health issues for decades, since puberty. Ive tried CBT multiple times. "Have you tried NOT doing/thinking that?", was my experience. If it were that simple, or if affirmations were all it took to help, I wouldn't be seeking professional help ffs.

[empireofpeaches]

I think affirmations are important for people that have negative thoughts. Constantly telling yourself negative things is bad. Affirmations are like a little moment of mindfulness and intention.

[RaeezTheDeadPoet]

I've tried affirmations but my mind just doesn't buy it anymore.

[rachdachamp]

CBT really saved my life, and this is coming from somebody who thinks, repeating affirmations can be quite silly, but learning to catch myself in a negative thought pattern and actively work my way out of it is literally the only reason I’m here today. In addition to finding the right antidepressant. So for me, the anti-depressant brought me to a level where I can actively recognize my negative thoughts and have the mental space to work through them.

[The-biry]

I absolutely agree that just affirmations wont solve your problems, but as someone who has and still struggles with mental health issues, affirmation and practicing gratitude does makes it a little easier to not get overwhelmed by your problems and the critical voices in your head. It is so easy to get into the comfort of just allowing the bad voices to take over because as much as it hurts, its also safe because its all we've known. Affirmations are a little boost to see through the fog and try to figure out solutions. Again, its not easy and its not a cure all, but they do help a little.

[Impractical-ndss]

As someone who has overcome so much, this has worked for me better than anything else. Nothing can ever be a one size fits all; what works for me may not be what’s best for you.

[davesargent]

I've spent my whole childhood with parents that gave me messages the opposite of affirmations so now I'll take affirmations, thank you.

[Segen_Bell]

Affirmations are important and I concur as a psychology student, but it's also important for you to be rational in your approach of any problems. You can't say "I will do good on my test today" and give the test without studying anything. If you are affirming yourself then you also need to put in effort to make them true. It's just that most people ignore the "putting effort to make it better" part. And I know it's not easy to put effort when you are struggling with mental health, but it has to start somewhere. Even if it's something as little as taking a shower, or making your bed. It's all about taking a step.

[kevinroyceho]

THANK GOD a psychologist is saying this. i'm so tired of society blaming and shaming people for being human! too much of the time we hear things like:

"well you're just sad cause you choose to be. life isn't that hard. just choose to be happy. choose to see things another way."

and it's suffocating and so dismissive of human nature and the experiences that come with it.

[centrifugedestroyer]

This message is so important for neurodivergent people and for people with chronic illnesses / invisible disablilities. You get recommended this all the time and it does not work, which only makes you feel worse

[emiright]

I healed my 10 years of anxiety and depression by listening to affirmations daily when I wake up. They help a big deal, I deleted social media, cleaned my room etc.

[elisabettamoretti-mxhk]

Clinical psychologist here and former trauma victim. I agree with the point that was made about CBT. It just isn’t that easy.

[seganaleqa]

Affirmations may not solve the problem, but they definitely help big time. Especially if you have OCD and one of the compulsions is negative self thought.

[Etherealemi]

I think what some people (myself included) fall into is that, you know you don’t believe these things about yourself. And then it becomes “oh my god I can’t even believe one good thing about myself” and it spirals into even more shame because you “can’t even do affirmations right”.

[blu_thorn]

That's extremely well said. Affirmations do help, and can give you a boost, but if you have mental issues, affirmations alone will not fix you.

[roomccausland]

Omg that's so nice to hear from a professional bc I will stay positive and work hard for so long and when things just get shittier and shittier and I can't be positive anymore I feel like I'm failing