How to Address Negative Thinking

Contents: Tips to Address Negative Thinking Related Services at the Tang Center

Negative Self-Talk is an accumulation of self-limiting messages that we have become in the habit of saying to ourselves. Breaking this destructive habit is possible though it takes time and effort. If you have been talking to yourself for a long time in this negative manner, it will take repetition and practice to learn more constructive and helpful ways of thinking. Following are some key steps to take to learn to talk to you yourself like a friend instead of an enemy.

• Notice
  Negative thoughts often come so quickly and automatically that we are unaware of them. We start to feel badly but we do not notice the thoughts that are causing us to feel that way. In order to counter these thoughts and feel better, we first need to become aware of them when they are happening. We have to "catch ourselves in the act" of negative self talk, especially when we are dealing with new situations or situations that have always been difficult for us, e.g., public speaking; meeting new people; learning a new skill. When you start to feel anxious, upset, or sad, take it as a signal to pay attention to what you are thinking and/or thinking about.
  
  
• Question
  Given the reality that most negative self-talk is false, irrational, and self-defeating, it makes sense that the first thing you want to do is question what is happening and not just sit with your bad feelings. We can ask ourselves:
  
  - What am I saying to myself that is making me feel badly?
  - Do I really want to do this to myself?
  - Do I really want to stay upset?
  
  
• Breathe Deeply
  Negative self-talk is often so rapid, automatic, and subtle that it can be hard to figure out exactly what you are saying to yourself. It is important to find a way to relax yourself so that you can slow down your mind and body and detect what negative messages you are using. A quick and easy way to relax is to take many deep abdominal breaths.
  
  
• Record the Thoughts
  Write down the negative thoughts or inner dialogue that led you to feel anxious, sad, or depressed. The act of writing the negative self talk down helps you to see it as separate from yourself and make clear exactly what the thoughts are. It may take some practice to do this and you will need to separate thoughts from the feelings that come as a result of them. You can try writing down the feeling first, e.g., " I'm anxious," and then the thought that led to it -- "I will never get this done on time". Remember self-talk involves thoughts not feelings.
  
  
• Identify the type of negative self talk
  Does it sound like the Self-Critic, the Hopeless One, the Perfectionist or the Worrier? How are you distorting what is happening? Are you overestimating the risk, catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, and/or filtering?
  
  
• Respond to negatives with positives
  Write down a positive and nurturing statement that counteracts the negative self-talk. Make it in the first person. For example: "I learn from my mistakes whenever I make them." Record a Daily Record of Dysfunctional Thoughts. If you use it everyday for a couple of months, you will find yourself automatically countering your negative thoughts with positive self-talk. You will feel much better and more able to handle the stress in your life. Make copies of it and use it every day.

Excerpted from The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne - available in local bookstores.

Related Services at the Tang Center
If you are experiencing difficulty managing or coping with stress, contact CARE Services for Faculty and Staff, the campus faculty and staff assistance program, at (510) 643-7754. CARE offers free, confidential, problem assessment and referral for UC-Berkeley faculty and staff.

 

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