In response to the confession about needing to hear a positive statement 10 times to believe the more optimistic idea:

I agree with the base notion that negative statements can affect the mind more than positive ones, but I disagree with the idea that one has to be confirmed "weak" or "strong" by another. To me, that post suggests that your goal should be to have people say that you're strong, to validate you. You should be working to not care about what other people say. It's okay that one person on facebook says that you're weak. It's also okay that 10 others say that you're strong. It should all just be "okay" -- it shouldn't determine your self worth. Being truly comfortable is accepting that you have flaws and that you're not necessarily weak or strong. It's being "okay" with yourself and not expecting an extreme.

I am slowly starting to resent my roommate she has the life I wish I had and she does not even appreciate it.

I have had many terrible experiences with therapists in the past. I finally have met one that listens and guides and helps me achieve my goals. She remembers everything I tell her, is sensitive to my triggers, and reminds me that I'm doing well and how far I've come when I feel discouraged by my mistakes. Don't give up... therapists are people, too, just as waitresses, musicians, and teachers are people...

To any of you on the University of Maryland campus who read the angry, confused go-kill-yourself post and considered giving up because you believed every word... He/she doesn't have the information necessary to decide whether you made your "life shit". No one else has experienced whatever trauma or brain chemistry that brought you to where you are today.

For every one negative statement, people need to hear a positive statement ten times to believe the more optimistic idea. I would re-post this 10 times, but that's really obnoxious - so please please reread this 10 times instead of killing yourself. You're not worthless, and you're not hopeless. You might be slower than others but that doesn't mean you're not trying or unable to be happy. You will wake up one day and spend the entire day not thinking about death... and you'll be happy you made it. It's okay that one person on facebook says you're weak. There's 10 others that say you're strong.

The other day, I saw some middle school kid getting bullied. For all those who faced this issue, you're not alone. I was bullied 7 years ago. And it still affects me to this day. Luckily there are nice people hear and hopefully everyone is old enough to respect other people. When there is a bully, you have to make it aware to everyone. You can't reason with them, you can't wish them away. Bullies won't stop so neither should you. You have to be willing to embrace everything or else the bully will TAKE everything. Do you all understand? Whether you make a scene or tell someone about it, when you face a bully, you make yourself heard, because you refuse to make that piece of crap make you feel powerless or like anything less than what you are. Don't bully. And don't let others do the same. I don't want good people to feel pain when they're kids.

To the gentleman or the lady who wrote the earlier comment about not being able to "stand all the depressed people." While you're free to think whatever you'd like, your opinion is wrong. For some people, depression isn't a choice. Mind you, there is a difference between being sad and being clinically depressed. The mindset such as yours, and don't feel bad, it is a popular mindset unfortunately, is why mental health funding has not been a priority in the US. People who are clinically depressed are so because of factors entirely out of their control and they do not have the necessary tools to deal with depression that you may have luckily inherited. Ignorant comments like yours discourages them to seek the help that they need, next time please keep them to yourself.

PS if you do feel depressed, please call the mental health center, they are incredibly helpful. They have recently been given more funds to expand initiatives for mental health wellness including funds to hire more therapists.

-J

I can't stand all of the depressed people on here. I have probably experienced twice as much bad shit than they have and I'm fine. Make the best of what you have and stop dwelling on all of the negatives. Only you can make your life shit. I always want to comment and tell them to just kill themselves if the genuinely feel that way, and if not then they should stop acting like they do.

My ex lover ended it with me because I wasn't "challenging" enough. I like to be submissive, soft and receptive. Just because i cooperate doesn't mean I am weak. But I guess in the twisted new way of dating in this decade i have to play the game too and start acting like a bitch.

I love redheads