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your head. Put on some nice clothes! That’s right, nice clothes, not those old sweats. You’re going out. You’re going to look like you care even if you don’t!
    You need a drill sergeant when …
    • Your depressed thoughts are so negative you find it hard to move.
    • You want to hide in bed all day.
    • You can’t get started on anything.
    • You feel hopeless and worthless.
    • You think you have no control on how your day will turn out.
    You have just as much vocal power as depression does. You just need to know when you need to use it.
Alex’s Story
    I work by myself and often feel that being alone with my depression is an impossible situation. I wish I had someone to just tell me what to do and how to do it! I know I could work for others, but in reality, I do better alone. When I’m not depressed, I’m happy about working alone. When I’m depressed, I need something to get me going. Often “me” is all I need because I can be two people. I can yell at myself when I’m feeling down. This is the “real me” talking to the “sick me.” You will work for six hours today, Alex! You will wash your face and get out that door! Get to it. Move! My brain responds to this, for some reason. I certainly wouldn’t like it from a real person, but I can take it from myself. It’s like clearing a really messy path so I can walk through it. Walk! March! —this is the real me.
My Story
    I cry a lot when I’m depressed. I sometimes wake up crying for no reason. It’s terrible. I lie in bed wondering why I should even get up. I now know these are the days when I need to channel my inner drill sergeant. Okay, Julie. Get up. And I get out of bed. Get going, Julie. Put on your clothes, choose some earrings, and look nice. I don’t want to do any of this because it truly seems absolutely pointless. Come on, Julie! Enough! You’re not going to let this depression ruin your day. You will get up and get out of the house! Move! It works, even on the really bad days. It’s like a routine now. That inner voice has to take over to get me moving. I’m not sure when I figured out to do this. I do know that for many years, I often didn’t make it out of bed, but now I always do. Always.
    What I do now:
    • I conjure up the strong me to talk to the ill me.
    • I’m not scared to yell at myself. Depression can make me really wimpy and passive, and I want to get out of that mood no matter what.
    • I’m willing to try anything to get myself out of bed.
    Exercise
    Think of a person you respect. It can be someone you know, someone famous, someone from a movie, or someone from a book—it doesn’t matter. Now write down what this person would say to you when it’s hard for you to get out of bed. How about when it’s time to choose clothes for the day or get the kids’ lunches ready? What would the person say when you’re staring into space at your desk? What if you have a social event to go to? Imagine a day when you have something due and just can’t seem to get started. Then listen to the voice of your imaginary drill sergeant and get moving!
    Here’s an example using Scarlet O’Hara: Today is a hard day, Julie. You’re filled with worry and fear. You can’t imagine how you’ll move on. But you can and you will! Who are you? You’re a woman, and you’re strong!
    Fiddledeedee! Nothing will ever get you down. Not a burning city, not losing your husband, not making clothes out of curtains. Don’t focus on tomorrow like I did. Focus on today. Now get going, Julie! What’s first? Do it now!
    Now you channel the voice of your inner drill sergeant and listen to what he or she says:

ASK DR. PRESTON
    Why does talking to yourself in a tough way help you get started and keep going?
    Being strong with yourself can help you find that burst of energy you need to get started on something. Once you get moving, it’s best not to stop, or else it’s easy to collapse back onto the couch. It’s so important to maintain