Tips, Advice, Experience From feeling worthless

[PetraG]

I feel weak though for saying I have this issue. I spoke with my brother about it but I felt quite ashamed. He said he has the same issue, I never knew

I remember a priest talking about the Temptation of Christ pointing out that the devil’s chosen tactics were based in planting self-doubt and entertaining preposterous scenarios:
" If you are the Son of God , command these stones to become loaves of bread ."
" If you are the Son of God , throw yourself down ; for it is written…"
“All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me .”

At the start, the ways you learn to re-think seem like “useful thinking”…that is, “think this way, your outcome will be better.” No, it is turning away from the distortions and learning to think realistically again.

It is seeing yourself as not just valuable but as precious to the only Judge capable of judging you that is the realistic thought. You have to re-learn that. It may have been so long ago that you knew that, it will feel like learning it for the first time. You and your brother can learn to be realistic together.

That is why, after all, the commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” The Lord loves you both with a love willing to die for you, and you need to see both yourself and your neighbor in that light in order to fulfill the commandment.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Has anyone experienced or dealt with feeling worthless and if so, has there been anything that has helped you fight these thoughts?

Yes I have, and the reminder that Jesus was willing to die for me made me realize that I am not worthless, even if I felt worthless.

We all have self doubt sometimes. It’s just part of being human.
But if these feelings persist, get worse over time, or make you feel like you might hurt yourself or other people, then get outside help.

ray:t2:

 

[SanRafael1102]

Some would say prayer, and I wouldn’t argue with them, but a few other things I’d suggest.

Really, you need a good therapist. Good therapists will respect your faith and help you reach your goals. Mine happened to be Catholic,a little more left-leaning of a Catholic than most I know, but that’s part of what made it so fascinating; we never talked theology unless I brought it up.

Second, ready yourself to possibly start taking a medication. At first, this hit me like a ton of bricks; it was like admitting that I didn’t have things under control, and that was hard to deal with. What my priest (at the time) actually told me was, “I have to take a blood pressure pill everyday, why is it so different that you have to take an anti-depressant?” which really helped me accept it.

Third, surround yourself with a support group. Find some like-minded men and/or women to just be your friends; go to the movies, hang out at the pub (responsibly of course), just chill and listen to some old Eagles records. This will be a huge boost to your morale and self-worth.

Finally, hold tightly to the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, these will be your best friends. Use your downtime to read about them, and maybe understand them a bit better.

Remember, the Evil One wants you to feel worthless just like he wants all of us to feel worthless.

 

[Michael16]

You’re not weak. You’re a hurting human being who needs help. There’s no shame in it.

I know what you’re going through. I wanted to die every day for a year before God’s grace opened my eyes and put some game changers in it. Just do whatever you have to; but commit to doing whatever it is you have to do.

Open yourself up to God in prayer and MEAN IT AND BELIEVE IT.

Jesus died on the cross for you. You’re that valuable to God.

 

[SanRafael1102]

I’m just kidding, they don’t have to be Eagle’s records.

 

[catholiclala]

I know your struggles because they are my own but I am healing with good counsel.

I have struggled with childhood trauma, anxiety and depression most of my life. I’m 39 now and just decided to seek help in the last few months. My only regret is wasting so many years fighting this alone. I was confirmed last Easter and that started my journey of healing. Prayer and Mass are blessings and opened the door to me going deeper and seeking mental health care. I am lucky to have a priest who gives me therapy (licensed practitioner) and spiritual direction. I know many do not think a Catholic therapist is necessary, but I see the benefit for me. I was resistant to therapy for years because I did not like it in my youth. The thing is you have to find the right therapist for you. I clicked with the man I see now right away, but if I hadn’t, I would have continued searching. I am also on medication that helps take the edge off. I still have depression and anxiety attacks from time to time but I recover better and know I am still making progress despite setbacks now and again.

Hang in there, be brave and patient. Look for slow changes not an abrupt fix. You will stumble at times, but that’s ok.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

But I do not care, enough is enough, time to get some help

Good man. There’s no shame in seeking mental health treatment. If you had a broken leg, you wouldn’t be embarrassed to go to a doctor to have the bone set, right? Mental health issues are no less real just because you can’t see them.

 

[Le_Crouton]

Better to get help now while you’re young before they cause long lasting problems with relationships or your career

 

[Michael16]

Everyday for a year; I wanted to kill myself. So, I know what you’re going through. The game changers in my life was God’s grace in bringing me to a good realization about myself, a commitment to do whatever it takes to get better, meeting my fiancé, my sons’ love for me and God Himself loving me. Pray and open yourself up to God. Pray the Rosary, pray the Saint Michael Prayer, go to Mass, go to Confession; do whatever it is you have to do. Even therapy and meds help.

You’re not worthless. I look forward to seeing your posts and replies on this forum. Jesus died for you on the cross. You’re that valuable to God.