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> How exactly to do that is the tricky part, though A good start might be with the book "Learned Optimism" from Martin Seligman — http://www.amazon.com/Learned
by metabren 15y ago
> How exactly to do that is the tricky part, though
A good start might be with the book "Learned Optimism" from Martin Seligman — http://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/0671019112 http://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/0....
He argues that most depression is just severe learned helplessness caused by your own pessimistic inner explanations of why events happened. He makes a good case for it & suggests techniques to build better explanatory habits. I haven't finished the book yet but so far it's quite compelling.
- raganwald 15y agoI don’t know if it is helpful with suicidal thoughts, but Learned Optimism has helped me with a more generalized despondency and helplessness: https://github.com/raganwald/homoiconic/blob/master/2009-05-01/optimism.md https://github.com/raganwald/homoiconic/blob/master/2009-05-... My won feelings about helplessness learning to play Go parallel feelings if helplessness in my life trying other things where it felt like I had no idea what I was doing and no control over the outcome: https://github.com/raganwald/homoiconic/blob/master/2009-10-20/high_anxiety.md https://github.com/raganwald/homoiconic/blob/master/2009-10-... Again, I don’t know if any of this is helpful when someone is at the point of contemplating ending their own life.
- smhinsey 15y agoObviously since you posted this 21 minutes ago I haven't exactly had the time to get into it seriously, but reading that inspired me to check out Learned Optimism and just reading the first chapter it speaks to my personal struggle. Thanks.
- seigenblues 15y agoGo is a great mirror; i'm glad it played a role -- even if an antagonistic one ;) -- in such a positive result.