I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

5. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS:
Yeahoo, life is wonder-full;
Let’s ‘google’ the wonders…
- Zhen-Phang –
Depression causes memory bias. Due to
‘state dependent memory,’ we tend to
recall the horrible things in life instead of
the happy ones. Unpleasant events tend to
stick in the mind like velcro; while pleasant ones slip off easily like
teflon. That’s why, it’s a good practice to keep a diary to note down
all the pleasant things in life and recall them repeatedly. As you do
this regularly, you’ll discover that life may not be that cruel to you;
good things do happen in life and to you.
You may use this as a guide to help you recall the pleasant things in
life (my own examples are in italics):
• Be grateful that somebody has complimented you.
My students say that I’m a good teacher.
• Be grateful that someone has expressed appreciation to you.
One of my patients gave me a “my best doctor award.”
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