I can totally relate. I am terrible to myself, and I wish I knew how to stop it. I would never talk to anyone else the way I talk to myself. I think part of it stems from being a perfectionist. It has gotten worse lately, and I think part of that is due to my job. I have taken the advice of one of my co-workers and at the end of the week i am going to write down all that I have accomplished that week, and if there were any "wins" with clients. I hope it helps, even if it's just a little bit.

Well, I have the same problem. I often think, "I hate my life, I want to die.
However, when I'm on prozac, I think, "I hate my life, I want to die," but it lacks conviction.

Spent a lot of years with negative self talk. Now over 50 and much reduced, almost absent. Wait, nope, still there. The thing is, they ARE finally quieted, almost imperceptible but not gone. Mindfulness is the answer. Letting thoughts be there without reacting. And loving myself just as I am helps, too.

Each time you hear the voice, catch yourself and ask 'would I say this to a friend?'

If it isn't constructive or something you would say to a good friend dealing with similar issues, then you shouldn't be saying it to yourself. Take a breath, let it go. The more often you interrupt your inner critic, the less habitual it will become.

I stopped talking to my parents, divorced my ex and all the negative stuff just went away. I allow myself to be happy now.

I run my own Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program. I'm much better to myself than I used to be.

They get told to STFU. It's my head.
Doesn't always work but it helps.
Also checking on blood sugar (have I eaten within the last 4 hours?) and hydration.
Knowing, or at least asigning a cause gives me a bit more control.

Mindfulness.

Challenging the voices is a strategy. You probably wouldn't let someone else talk to you like that.

Challenging the voices is a strategy. You probably wouldn't let someone else talk to you like that.

To quiet the negative voices:
1.take an early morning walk of at least 20 minutes to reset your thyroid to higher mood and energy.

2.take CBD oil, or stronger if you need it.

3.eat fish, put a few iodine drops in water, try 5-htp and magnesium (WalMart)

4.Have a cuddly, loving pet whose adoration will soothe you.

It's interesting for me to notice how many folks here suggest reacting to negative inner voices with fighting, suppressing, challenging and so on. Has anyone ever thought of compassionately questioning those voices? They are, after all, a part of you. If you fight, attack, etc., you are fighting and attacking a part of yourself.

While it may be true that those voices are often an internalization of some environmental factor we would rather do without, like the legacy of an abusive parent, or the scourge of body-shaming media messages, the part of us which took on the task of internalizing the message generally did so out of a self-protective urge. Often times the logic looks something like: "If I can remind myself to be concerned about this now, on my own, I might be able to protect myself from outside criticism and attack later."

As a result of recognizing this dynamic, I tend to thank that part of me which went through all the effort to take on this internalizing task. If that self-protective measure is no longer needed or helpful, I can sometimes gently negotiate with that part of myself to retire the task and devote internal resources elsewhere.

I'm not saying that what I describe is a perfect procedure or that I'm a master at it. But it does feel much gentler and kinder to myself overall, and seems to work a little better than fighting, which only adds fuel to the fire in my experience. And why wouldn't it? Adding more criticism (including self-criticism) only convinces that part of yourself doing the self-protecting that more protection is needed! Reminds me of a wise saying: "If you have a problem and you beat yourself up about it...now you have two problems."

Art journaling. I only allow positive thoughts on the page. It has really changed my self-talk.

I correct myself immediately. If I've said something in conversation with someone, I correct myself and tell them that what I say to myself is important, and explain a bit if they are interested. I have literally changed my life with self-talk.

I try to work on my guy bod and get discouraged often. The problem is I like to eat, drink, and sleep. None of this helps in my quest. I think we just have to make a habit of good thoughts, or we will concentrate on the negative. I’ll try harder if you do!

It can help to just try to be observant about what miight trigger or precipitate the negative thoughts or self-criticisms, and try to avoid those things when you're feelling down on yourself or youi're feeling depressed.

Bleu, I think you've taken an important step in that you realize are doing it and it is wrong. I was in a bad place a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't until I was in a conversation on here that I realized what I was doing.

I have found this to be a good support group.

I do a lot of different things. Shopping therapy. Driving therapy. Good book therapy. Watching cartoons therapy. Anything to clear my mind for a bit so I can think straight.

I have yet to learn to quiet those voices.

An interesting question bleurowz, and very well put. This has been a common problem with myself... I suspect that this shortcoming in my nature, triggered my many anxiety nuerosis symptoms, leading to manyl attacks of depression..................

I say, I love me ?? it works, all day till I feel better.

Why do you do that ?????

I understand what you're saying. It takes a lot of willpower to overcome this. If you are at all like me, being tired or ill makes you most vulnerable, and, if you pair those with disappointment, it's a high wall to climb. I try, but I'm not always successful at quieting those voices. We have to rest, learn to forgive our failures, and move on. Tomorrow is another day.