We all have an inner critic. At times, this little voice can keep us motivated toward goals. However, this voice can often be more harmful, particularly when it gets into the realm of excessive negativity. This is known as negative self-talk, and it can really bring us down. Learn how to deal with it and stay positive.

It sounds hopeless, but the good news is that there is a way to break through these unhealthy thought patterns with the help of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). However, experts warn that this approach is not for everyone.

What is CBT? 

CBT is based on the idea that behaviors, emotions, and thoughts are intertwined. Thoughts influence an individual’s feelings which influence behavior. CBT-trained therapists use these three pathways to effect change.

However, for CBT to work, it requires active participation on the client’s part. When the client is willing to put in the work, randomized clinical trials have shown that CBT can ease anxiety, depression, eating and sleeping disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive thinking, among many others.

But unlike other psychotherapy styles, CBT focuses on the present. It doesn’t seek to address underlying issues, like systemic problems in families and childhood trauma. Its goal is to provide individuals with tools they can use on their own, which translates to a shorter-term treatment.

If you think you or someone you know can benefit from CBT, we break down everything you need to know about this therapy style below.

Thoughts, not circumstances, affect actions and feelings  

One of the most common misconceptions is that circumstances directly influence what one feels and does. In CBT, therapists believe that the critical factor is how individuals interpret these circumstances and act based on those interpretations.

You can try this by being more aware of your thoughts. When you notice your mood changing, figure out what you were thinking right before you felt worse. This powerful exercise can show you how your moods are, in fact, not affected by what’s happening around you but how you interpret these circumstances.

When you are more aware, you’ll get a realistic and accurate view of your circumstances.

Overcoming negative thoughts  

If you want to overcome your negative self-talk, you have to begin by identifying what you tell yourself in moments of distress. For example, if you’re anxious, your thoughts revolve around the theme of threat. You tell yourself that you’re not equipped to handle your challenges or that the world is scary. Meanwhile, if you’re depressed, your thoughts revolve around feelings of unworthiness.

Once you identify these thoughts, your therapist will help you analyze these thoughts with a series of questions that can help you verify whether the thought is true or not. More often than not, most patients realize that these negative thoughts are not valid. And the interesting thing is that everyone is prone to these thinking errors.

CBT is not positive thinking  

Contrary to popular belief, CBT is not about shifting negative thoughts to positive ones, which psychologists say doesn’t help. Instead, CBT helps train you to become more compassionate to yourself and be more realistic about your situation.

Putting in the work  

The best thing about CBT is that the work doesn’t end when you walk out of your therapist’s door. Therapists typically hand out worksheets or a list of apps that can help patients change their thinking and their life even after the sessions have ended.

One primary tool CBT-trained therapists use is an automatic thought record. It can be a physical or digital note where patients can track what they are feeling, thinking, and doing in between sessions. The notes are then used to evaluate the patient’s thoughts during the next therapy session.

How to find a CBT-trained counselor  

You can check the lists of CBT-trained counselors by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the American Psychological Association.

Have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy? If you haven’t yet, is it something you’re considering?

South Beach Prosthetics manufactures and provides comfortable, high-performance prosthetic solutions that meet individual patient requirements in a compassionate and supportive environment. We are here for you. Connect with us to learn more at (855) 958-1777 and join our Facebook community. Ask us about our in-home care and our no-cost transportation services!

Reference: [https://amputeestore.com/blogs/amputee-life/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-helps-stop-negative-self-talk]