Life Changing Mindset

Wait so do positive thinking/ positive statements work?

I asked the question below about helping yourself with depression and many said positive statements but I thought that positive self statements do not work?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/regarding-self-regard/200907/sorry-oprah-responses-positive-self-statement-research
Yeah and do not answer unless you read at least some of the article.

Public Comments

1. I'm not going to read the article but I believe if you repeat positive statements daily one day you'll start to believe them and positive thoughts will just come naturally...

2. They do if you believe in them. Positive thought can increase self esteem and help with depression. But you need to practice and believe in the positive thoughts.
I often ask patients what advice they would give a friend in their position. We are often much harder on ourselves than on others.

3. If you don't deal effectively with the negative, any benefits from positive affirmations will be minimal, if any.

It's important to regularly monitor, and deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, images, impulses, or emotions, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately. Technique For Re-Programming Negative Thoughts: When you notice something negative, such as: "I can't do this/ am never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?" or even an image, emotion, or a memory; recognise that it is being generated from the negative part of your mind.

Having identified and labelled it, visualise a large, red, flashing, "STOP!" sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version. Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary.

Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method. Try replacing a negative thought with a positive affirmation of your choice, like: "I am a unique individual, with my own set of skills, and good points", or "I may not be perfect, but I'm doing the best I can, right now". Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html or http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm and/or Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga.