Seattle Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Coaching
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and Loss
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
      • Professional Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
      • Marriage Intensive
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Counseling for Children
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group – Chris Chandler
      • Anxiety and Depression Counseling
        Group for Teens and Adolescents
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sexual Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Bellevue
    • 1Bothell
    • Edmonds
    • 1Everett
    • 1Federal Way
    • kentKent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey Christian CounselingLacey
    • 1Mill Creek
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    • 1Puyallup
    • 1Redmond
    • 1Seattle Ballard
    • 1Seattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • 1Spokane
    • 1Spokane Valley
    • 1Tacoma
    • 1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (206) 388-3929Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

Stop Self-Destructive Behavior: Dealing with Depression

Seattle Christian Counseling
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/6568200251_eaaf9b48c3_b-300x200.jpg 300 200
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/seattle-greenlake-6-scaled.jpg
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B
SEATTLE, WA 98115
United States
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B
SEATTLE, WA 98115
United States
Photo of Lisa Velin

Lisa Velin

Dec
2015
29

Stop Self-Destructive Behavior: Dealing with Depression

Lisa Velin

DepressionIndividual Counseling

Part 4 of a 4-Part Series
In this last article in a four-part series on helpful tips for dealing with depression and stop self-destructive behavior, I discuss the technique called Prevent Destructive Behavior. This is a crucial topic in dealing with depression. Many depressed people find that the smallest thoughts or events can send them into a downward spiral that makes them feel out of control. This article offers hope by showing that there is something you can do to temper the emotions that prompt you to engage in self-destructive behavior.

Planning How to Deal with Depression and Stop Self-Destructive Behavior

Depressed people often report that they can shift from feeling fine one moment to falling apart the next. Moreover, there is a tendency is to make yourself feel even worse by acting impulsively, such as breaking up with a boyfriend who postponed your date, or drinking a bottle of wine when you are disappointed over a small thing. When you are feeling fine, it is important to plan what kind of help you will need, and from whom, when you are in a more distraught frame of mind. Learning how to slow down and stop the rapid slide into depression is crucial, as is learning how to self-soothe and manage negative emotions.

Here are some exercises that can help you to make plans for how to deal with depression.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

Activities to Distract You from Depression

When feeling fine, make a list of distractions that you can utilize when you are feeling distressed. Make sure that you write down enjoyable activities, such as listening to music, watching a show, or playing a game. You will need this list because it can be difficult to remember them when you are feeling upset. Store this list somewhere easily accessible and turn to it when you start to feel a downward spiral.

People You Can Turn to when Depressed

Create a list of people who will serve as a lifeline, people you can call when the destructive and downward spiral starts. Next, work with your counselor or trusted other to create a list of soothing, distracting ideas that you can employ in the case that someone on your lifeline is not available.

Journaling when Dealing with Depression

Describing the following points in your journal can be very insightful and empowering. You can follow this plan of journaling with a counselor, a trusted other, or by yourself.

  1. What do I feel in my body?
  2. Are these sensations familiar?
  3. What is the earliest age I remember feeling this way?
  4. Can I get a memory of a situation in which I had this feeling or even just an image of myself, like a snapshot, feeling this?
  5. Is there any similarity between the two experiences (former and current)?
  6. What did others do then?
  7. What did I do then?
  8. What are others doing now?
  9. What do I want to do now?

This plan of journaling serves to integrate feeling and thought, and to strengthen that connection. It helps to lessen the intensity when the feeling arises in the future. Remember that a feeling is just a feeling, and it will pass.

Develop and Practice Compassion

6568200251_eaaf9b48c3_bDepressed people are often harsh and inflexible in their judgment of themselves and others. People can get stuck in negative thought patterns as they ruminate on negative experiences. It is necessary to find a way to interrupt this rumination in order to open up a new understanding of oneself and others. Try this exercise:

  1. Find a situation in which you feel no compassion. Write or talk about the behavior but not the motivation behind it.
  2. See the part of you (or the other person) that is struggling.
  3. Address that part with, “Oh dear. You are struggling.”
  4. Ask, “What is making this so hard?”
  5. Listen to the answer.
  6. Say, “You are right. That is hard.” Stop there.
  7. What does it feel like to end it there?
  8. Spend some time meditating on compassion or praying for compassion.

Christian Counseling for Dealing with Depression

As a Christian counselor, I am convinced that we do not need to be incapacitated by feelings of depression. If you feel stuck in a negative and downward spiral, or find yourself dwelling on negative or self-destructive behavior, please consider calling a Christian counselor. Help and hope are available.

 

Photos
“Writing in the Woods,” courtesy of emerloppez19, pixabay.com, CC0 Public Domain License; “Waiting,” courtesy of Unsplash.com, pixabay.com, CC0 Public Domain License; “Puppy Love,” courtesy of Kevin Stanchfield,Flickr CreativeCommons (CC BY 2.0)

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Lisa Velin
Schedule with Lisa
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Lisa Velin

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor
(206) 452-6727 lisav@seattlechristiancounseling.com

I’m a firm believer in the limitless possibilities for redemption through faith in Christ. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in bilingual counseling, and helping people work through anxiety, depression, women’s issues, and trauma. I understand what it feels like to go through dark, seemingly hopeless times, but I know that everything God brings you trough will shape you into all you are meant to become. Working with you is an honor, and I’m dedicated to helping you learn, heal, and grow as you work towards a future that is made new in Christ. Read more articles by Lisa »

Other articles that might interest you...

3 Therapeutic Tips for Parents -- Reflective Language (Part 1)
Seattle Christian Counseling

Why Children’s Counseling?

As you decorate a child’s room with art at their eye level, age-appropriate toys, and child-sized furniture, so children’s counseling...

continue reading »
Why Balance is Needed When Dealing With Depression
Photo of Lisa Velin

Lisa Velin

Why Balance is Needed When Dealing With ...

Part 3 of a 4-Part Series This is the third article in a four-part series on helpful tips for dealing...

continue reading »
Dealing With Depression: Tackling Energy Issues
Photo of Lisa Velin

Lisa Velin

Dealing With Depression: Tackling ...

Part 2 of a 4-Part Series Depression involves a deep and painful struggle that is often seemingly resistant to treatment....

continue reading »

About Lisa

Photo of Lisa Velin

Lisa Velin, MA, LMHC

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor

I’m a firm believer in the limitless possibilities for redemption through faith in Christ. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in bilingual counseling, and helping people work through anxiety, depression, women’s issues, and trauma. I understand what it feels like to go through dark, seemingly hopeless times, but I know that everything God brings you trough will shape you into all you are meant to become. Working with you is an honor, and I’m dedicated to helping you learn, heal, and grow as you work towards a future that is made new in Christ. View Lisa's Profile

Recent articles by Lisa

  • Aug 21 · What is Group Therapy and What are the Benefits?
  • Apr 16 · Children of Divorce: How to Help Them Cope
  • Apr 15 · Hope in the Dark: A Reflection on Coronavirus and Easter
See all articles by Lisa »

Related Services

  • Depression
  • Individual Counseling

Lisa's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Seattle Greenlake office

    Seattle Greenlake

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (206) 388-3929
    6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B Seattle, WA 98115

    View Office Details

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Seattle Christian Counseling Logo
Seattle Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
Welcome to Seattle Christian Counseling. We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors with more than 20 office locations throughout Washington state for your convenience, including the Seattle neighborhoods of Greenlake, Ballard, and Downtown Lower Queen Anne. We look forward to meeting you soon.
© 2022 Seattle Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98115. Tel (206) 388-3929.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
COVID-19 Service Update: We are still open for business. In office and online counseling is available if needed.