One weapon against this that I am using is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. (CBT) Depression and anxiety run in my family and I have had some extended bouts with it and its not something I would wish on anyone. I do take medication, but one thing that really helped me was CBT. I was the last person I would ever have thought would read a self help type book but when all you want to do is feel better, you will do anything so I tried it after resisting for a while and it helped immeasurably and I have not had any prolonged periods of issues in several years since I read the book. The book is called "Feeling Good" by David D. Burns, MD. It is pretty much the authoritative book on CBT. Its not the book that heals you, its how it changes your thinking when a negative or destructive thought enters it. Its empowering because you realize that your mind does not own you, you own it. Your emotions don't control you, you control your emotions. I think some of the underlying ideas behind CBT might be helpful in trying to break this habit. If nothing seems to be working for any of you, maybe give the book a try.