How Stoicism and Therapy can Overlap to help heal Depression
10 Stoic Principles for Depression with SHIP Therapy
Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. It can cause persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness, and interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. While there are many effective treatments for depression, such as medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes, some people may also benefit from adopting a Stoic perspective on their situation.
Stoicism is an ancient school of philosophy that teaches how to live a virtuous and rational life in harmony with nature and reason. It helps us focus on the things we can control and accept the things we cannot, and cultivate a calm and resilient attitude towards challenges and adversities. Stoicism can help us deal with depression by reducing rumination, increasing self-efficacy, and promoting mindful attention to our own emotional state and behaviour.
SHIP therapy is a modern psychotherapeutic approach that stands for Spontaneous Healing Intra-systemic Process. It is based on the idea that we all have an innate ability to heal ourselves from emotional wounds that are stored in our subconscious mind. These wounds are caused by traumatic or stressful experiences that we have not fully processed or integrated. They manifest as symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, addiction, or physical illness. SHIP therapy helps us access and release these wounds by creating a safe and supportive environment where we can express our emotions freely and spontaneously.
SHIP therapy can complement Stoicism by providing a deeper understanding of the root causes of our depression, and by facilitating the healing process that can restore our natural state of well-being. SHIP therapy can also help us develop more compassion and empathy for ourselves and others, which are essential qualities for living a Stoic life.
Here are 10 Stoic principles that you can meditate and journal on while depressed, that might help you cope better with SHIP therapy:
- Live in accordance with nature. This means applying reason to all our actions, instead of acting out of passion or impulse. It also means aligning ourselves with the natural order of things, and recognizing that everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t understand it. With SHIP therapy, this means trusting our innate healing ability, and allowing ourselves to experience whatever emotions arise during the sessions without judging or resisting them.
- Live a life of virtue. This means living according to the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. These virtues guide us to act in the best way possible in any situation, and to avoid vices such as ignorance, fear, injustice, and indulgence. With SHIP therapy, this means being honest and authentic with ourselves and our therapist, being brave and willing to face our emotional wounds, being fair and respectful to ourselves and others, and being moderate and balanced in our lifestyle choices.
- Focus on what you can control. This means distinguishing between what is up to us and what is not up to us. We can control our own thoughts, opinions, judgments, decisions, actions, and reactions. We cannot control external events, circumstances, or other people’s thoughts, opinions, judgments, decisions, actions, or reactions. By focusing on what we can control, we can reduce our frustration and anxiety, and increase our sense of agency and empowerment. With SHIP therapy, this means taking responsibility for our own healing process, and not blaming others or ourselves for our condition. It also means being open and cooperative with our therapist, and following their guidance and suggestions.
- Distinguish between good, bad, and indifferent things. This means understanding that the only things that are truly good or bad for us are our own actions and character. Everything else is indifferent, meaning that it does not affect our happiness or well-being by itself. It only becomes good or bad depending on how we use it or relate to it. For example, money is indifferent. It can be used for good or evil purposes. It can also be gained or lost without affecting our inner peace. With SHIP therapy, this means recognizing that our depression is not a bad thing in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying wound that needs healing. It also means realizing that our healing process is not dependent on external factors, such as the duration or frequency of the sessions, or the outcome of a specific situation, but rather on our own willingness and readiness to heal.
- Take action. This means not being passive or resigned to our fate, but rather being proactive and responsible for our own improvement. It also means not being paralyzed by fear or doubt, but rather being courageous and confident in our abilities3. Taking action can help us overcome inertia and apathy, and create positive changes in our lives. With SHIP therapy, this means seeking help when we need it, and not suffering in silence. It also means committing to the therapy, and attending the sessions regularly and punctually. It also means applying what we learn in the therapy to our daily life, and making changes that support our healing and well-being.
- Practice misfortune. This means exposing ourselves to challenging or uncomfortable situations voluntarily, in order to train ourselves to cope better with adversity. It also means imagining the worst-case scenarios that could happen to us, and preparing ourselves mentally and emotionally for them. Practicing misfortune can help us reduce our attachment to external things, and increase our gratitude for what we have. With SHIP therapy, this means facing our emotional pain and trauma, instead of avoiding or suppressing them. It also means accepting the possibility that things may not go as we wish or expect, and being ready to deal with them.
- Love your fate. This means embracing whatever happens to us as part of the divine plan or the natural order of things. It also means not complaining or resenting our situation, but rather finding meaning and purpose in it. Loving our fate can help us accept the reality of our condition, and make the best out of it. With SHIP therapy, this means seeing our depression as an opportunity for growth and transformation, instead of a curse or a punishment. It also means trusting that everything that happens to us is for our highest good, even if we don’t understand it at the moment.
- Be mindful. This means being aware of our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and actions in the present moment. It also means being attentive to the external world around us. Being mindful can help us avoid being distracted by irrelevant or harmful thoughts, and focus on what matters most. With SHIP therapy, this means being fully present and engaged in the sessions, and paying attention to what is happening within us and between us and our therapist. It also means being mindful of our triggers and patterns, and noticing how they affect us and others.
- Be self-aware. This means examining ourselves regularly and honestly. It also means being humble and willing to learn from others. Being self-aware can help us identify our strengths and weaknesses, and work on improving ourselves. With SHIP therapy, this means being open and transparent with ourselves and our therapist, and sharing our thoughts and feelings without hiding or lying. It also means being receptive to feedback and suggestions, and acknowledging our mistakes and achievements.
- Be compassionate. This means being kind and helpful to ourselves and others. It also means forgiving ourselves and others for their mistakes. Being compassionate can help us reduce our anger and resentment, and increase our empathy and connection. With SHIP therapy, this means being gentle and supportive to ourselves and our therapist, and not judging or criticizing ourselves or others. It also means letting go of grudges and grievances, and expressing gratitude and appreciation to ourselves and others.
These are some of the Stoic principles that can help you deal with depression with SHIP therapy. You can meditate and journal on them daily, and apply them to your specific situation. Remember that Stoicism and SHIP therapy are not quick fixes or magic bullets, but ways of life that require practice and discipline. They may not work for everyone, and they may not be enough by themselves. If you are suffering from depression, you should also seek professional help and support from your doctor, therapist, family, or friends. Remember to keep searching until you find the solution and process that is right for you!
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