How would you reprogram your brain, the unconscious or mindset to overcome depression?

Everyone carries an internal picture of how they perceive their self.

For most of us this is a composite of all our ego programming.

It's difficult for affirmations to always work because light travels faster than sound, so by the time you say 1 affirmation that picture you carry of your self has flashed over 100 times.

What I had to do was work on several levels.

Thought is always the ancestor of every emotion, so I had to begin with observing what my thoughts were.

Most people experience the emotion but because they have not practiced the discipline of observing their thoughts are unaware why they feel like they do.

Observing your thoughts allows you to do 2 things.

One is get some distance from them, to begin to realize you don't have to identify self with them.

It also allows you to begin to see the loop patterns as you realize certain thoughts are repeated. This in turn allows you to recognize the source of those patterns.

It's not an over night fix, but it is a tool that works, or at least for me it worked.

I would mention also that exercise helps on a short term immediate basis, but in other questions you have stated you stay busy.

I also began running when I began observing my thoughts.

As a bonus I had many experiences while running of the mystical flavor.

Sometimes even when just walking.

There is something about the body being engaged in a mechanical activity that frees the mind to soar.

Many Blessings!

You let the brain do its job of only knowing what's happening or what has happened. Allow yourself to know that the heart is way more powerful than the brain, that it ain't just a pump, for we wouldn't have songs and poems about the heart if it was just a pump. You have like everyone else felt the power of your own heart. I suggest looking to your own heart for answers. There is also the work 'The Heart's Code' by Paul Pearsall which is a worthy read. One last thing please do this for me, Point to Yourself Now. Go ahead, do it! Now, now, are you ready to read on, are you sure? Right, here's the question, what general area of your body were you pointing to?

All I can tell you is what I did for myself, and its still a struggle sometimes. Depression never goes completely away in my opinion, we just learn to cope with it. I refuse to get upset over things I have no control over anymore. If I can't pay my rent, power or water this month they'll cut it off and kick me out? Oh well, guess I need a change of scenery!! Its hard to do but I think it only came when I was at the end of my rope. I was ready to have a nervous breakdown and then it hit me, "This is what the people who are coming against me want." They wanted me to loose control but I'm stronger than that. Now I just pray and read a little of my Bible daily. Its hard to do but it gets better once you can surpass that feeling that you can't do it. Believe you are strong enough and refuse to listen to other people and their criticism.

There is electo-shock therapy, and it has been proven to work in some extreme cases, I would NOT recommend this though, as it could prove fatal. The electricity causes a short term amnesia that helps the patient forget the memories of pain and sadness. Again, I do not suggest you do something like this unless it's your last resort.

I wouldn't. Depression is a part of who I am, and if I banish it, then I diminish myself. I don't treat depression as a curse, as an evil thing, as an aberration that must be conquered. It is who I am, it doesn't hold me back, it makes me complete.

And yes, clinical, cyclic depression, just in case you were wondering. Real depression, not the "blue Monday" depression that's so fashionable.

There is something called cognitive restructuring. You can train your brain out of a mode of thinking. I found the process on lifehacker.

Since the question is in R&S lets assume you have proper medical care.

First I would tell the brain to stop that, to allow the spirit to rule the physical. Think, brain stop that.

Next I would sit in a corner, facing the corner. I would say out loud, I am depressed and I do not know why. I am here to help give up any cause of my depression. Then pray for someone else that may need help.

Then I would get up and drink water. Also, eating mission figs help fight depression.

If you are able, go outside at sometime when the sun is shining for a moment with your knees exposed. This will reset your internal clock.

I do not have a clue sweetie but if you find out please let me know because depression kicks my butt, i have been living with it for close to 20 years off and on and it really is debilitating, its terrible, good luck with your answers

You really can't "reprogram" your brain. It just takes time and a conscious change.

Depression is a chemical imbalance it has nothing to do with religion.

A really excellent answer from Just Be. The only thing I would add is to become as aware as you can of how your BODY feels. The body is constantly telling us what to do, what not to do, what is helpful and what isn't.