The obsessive thinking, the negative dialogue, the feeling of emptiness and feeling diminished sculpt the foundations of low self-esteem day after day. A fertile ground for the development of the shadow of depression.
Written and verified by the psychologist GetPersonalGrowth.
Last update: 15 November 2021
The perception of the ego and depression have a very deep connection between them. The image we have of ourselves is defragmented by these psychological conditions that give rise to evident low self-esteem. Furthermore, the mind constantly invests time and energy on the ego concept, weakening it more and more through constant worry and negative internal dialogue.
Few clinical realities are as complex as the forms of depression. Each patient suffers from it in a unique way. It is a multifactorial dimension, undoubtedly adverse and multifaceted, but there are common elements that manifest themselves in most of the clinical cases, and that highlight a widely known enemy. One in which our thoughts and our mindset amplify and strengthen this presence.
In this regard, an aspect revealed by a work published in 2019 is that ego perception is a key component in these psychological disorders. It is to the point that the way we perceive ourselves, the way we talk to ourselves and how we treat ourselves change our brain architecture.
An example is given by the magnetic resonances of people with low self-esteem, in which less gray matter has been shown in different areas of the brain. Furthermore, if we do not intervene to improve this aspect of our personality, if psychological strength is not exercised, depression can become more resistant and last for years. See below for more information on this.
There are invisible wounds in the body that are deeper and more painful than any wound.
-Laurell K. Hamilton-
The perception of self and depression: building the prison of suffering
A depressed person does not live in the same context as everyone around him. Because depression is, first of all, isolation. It consists in disconnecting from the environment that surrounds us, also in a gradual withdrawal into that inner universe where we end up being prisoners of a body that hurts and a mind that never rests.
This is certainly a first aspect to consider: the hyperactivity highlighted in certain areas of our brain and, in particular, self-awareness, reflection and self-esteem. Ego perception and depression are intimately linked because thought only weakens our identity, debilitating us with criticism, with memories of the past, with mistakes, with losses and with a whole wide range of boycotts.
Stress as an antechamber of depression and negative internal dialogue
The University of Calgary, Canada recently published a study conducted by Dr. Dencel Kopala. In this work the strong erosion generated by negative internal dialogue is highlighted. At the same time, it is important to know that that wearing down of ego perception arises especially when we go through periods of high stress.
Not knowing how to manage tensions and problems, the mind gets used to feeding a pattern of constant negativity, from which gradually derives the difficulty of maintaining self-esteem, optimism and hope. Almost without realizing it, our ego will be completely debilitated and, more interestingly, different areas of the brain will also be modified.
Low self-esteem and its relationship to gray matter
Dr Johannes Klakl, from the University of Salzburg, Austria, conducted an interesting study in 2014 in which it was shown that people with low self-esteem showed less gray matter. This aspect favors greater vulnerability in the aforementioned patients, in which depressive disorders can arise.
There was therefore a great difficulty in managing emotions, in the planning and in the more firm and creative decisions aimed at getting out of the states of suffering.
The importance of the inner narrative in the perception of the ego
Self-perception and depression feed on each other to such an extent that low self-esteem and a stressful situation can give rise to this psychological disorder. But in turn, depression will push us to snub even more the figure of that sadly fragmented ego.
On the other hand, the way we talk about ourselves to ourselves is the key to getting back up. That means, the way we describe and perceive ourselves favors or weakens our psychological health.
The perception of the ego deserves dignity and value; therefore, it is essential to take care of these aspects to strengthen him, to guarantee him a safe haven and to prevent him from escalating into a depression.
A healthy (and exciting) connection with what surrounds us
Get out of your inner world and connect with the here and now. The idea is to stop being prisoners of that mind that always feeds the same thought patterns.
One way to do this is to get in touch with what surrounds you, with new stimuli, with other sensations and experiences that bring news, emotions and curiosities. to a brain too focused on anguish.
The hygiene of a compassionate and non-destructive inner dialogue
Ego perception and depression are related to each other because the way we talk to ourselves weakens self-esteem, and from there opens the abyss of that black hole. We must therefore learn to speak respectfully to ourselves. Inner dialogue must always be flawless, compassionate and resilient.
If we ourselves are the first to not treat ourselves as we deserve, no one will. Self-love and healthy self-esteem are undoubtedly the most valid defenses to prevent most mood disorders. We work on this aspect and never hesitate to ask for help from a professional if we need it.
