Cognitive Reframing of Negative Thoughts

Do you are having anxiety and mental poison that you simply can't shake? When faced with a decision have you got anxiety and think of the worst outcome? This is called catastrophizing, or cognitive distortion. During times of stress, it's common to have negative thoughts more regularly. It can be easy to have a situation coming your way and assume the worst outcome. These thoughts can hinder your lifetime and becoming things done.

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which can cause worry and mental poison. Sometimes, I've felt I've exhausted entire days with overthinking. As I was explaining this to my counselor, she suggested which i attempt to take a step back, and reframe the thought. It may seem simple, however it can be a helpful tool in managing anxiety.

During one day, typically I have about five mental poison. They can linger without anyone's knowledge, or remain in the forefront. They are able to last a whole day, or up to and including week. The secret is to catch the ideas before they become too negative to show around. Challenging what you're thinking with Cognitive Reframing is really a method to counteract these negative thoughts.

What is Cognitive Reframing?

The term refers back to the psychological manner in which you take a concept and challenge how you notice. It is a tool in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on talking things out with a psychotherapist and looking at just how you think. While helping individuals with mental illness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT techniques, can help almost anyone. They can be helpful when managing general stress and emotions. So, basically Cognitive Reframing can be explained as taking your mental poison and challenging you to ultimately make them positive.

Something that helps me reframe my head would be to ask a set of questions. Writing them down, or saying them aloud can lead you to a positive thought. Here is a worksheet, plus some questions that I use.

Questions to ask yourself:

  • Would I tell someone relating to this?
  • Am I in control of the outcome?
  • What would happen if the actually occurred?

For example, when you are trying to get employment, your immediate thought could be that you will never get it. This has became of me, and that i would obsess with everything day. Well, if you don't obtain the job, what is the worst outcome? You don't hear back? Okay, fine. The planet won't end if you do not get a callback, however it sure can feel like it will. Using worksheets and the questions will help you improve your perspective.

It isn't easy. I've had some negative thoughts that have taken a couple of days to get away from my head. I've found it will help to consider a step back and say the thought out loud. Hearing myself express it could be enough to create me laugh it off and move on. Or, it helps me see the real issue and take steps to fix it.

In conclusion, your anxiety could be a lot of work, and using tools like Cognitive Reframing might help. I speak from personal experience by which this worked for me, so I encourage you to definitely give it a try in your mental health journey.