Psychologists: How can one avoid self-pity?

Question

When I was a teenager I burned out on self-pity and just spiraled down as a person. I'm only 20 now and am better at ignoring ridiculous feelings like that, but they sometimes come back. I get it from my mom, for sure, because she gets drunk every night and goes into this "woe is me" mode. The last 2 years I've seen counselors and was put on different SRIs twice, but they did nothing for me. I don't believe at all that SRIs work, and I understand that nothing can change anything but yourself. All the self-pity I felt as a teenager surfaced from being single among all these couples. So, my question is, how can I fight those feelings to sulk like a fool in a corner when they're close to taking control over me?

Answer 1

If possible, find ways to raise your self-esteem.  If you're normal, you should be able to balance your downs with ups and I'm talking moods not drugs.  I had a lot of down influences growing up, but I had a job, enough money, good buds, and I got good grades, was Pres. of Honor Soc and addressed the student body.  I didn't have to push it, I just put aside the bad stuff and put out effort.

Now, you've just got to do it yourself and it starts with shutting out the bad with good healthy activities (sports, reading, dates) and sublimating the stuff that depresses you.  Good luck to you.