Negative Thinker

Hello All,

I have struggled with anxiety, depression and have been to therapy, and meds.I am realizing that I am a terribly bad negative thinker.I know we went over this in therapy but it never was fixed.It seems that every situation, no matter what it is , I react negative in my mind.

I think I could win a million dollars this week, but some how have my head in my hands worrying, and being negative.I have lost my job recently as well, and I believe in my heart that my perception on things was part of the cause now.I rarely, rarely think positive, and if i do it doesn't last long.

I could use help, or advice where to go now with this.I want to salvage my life and I believe if i think positive, I may be able to ease the depression, and possibly the anxiety to a degree......

Can anyone help me at all, or give me feed back.

regards,

figtree66

Hi figtree66.

I definitely think you can do something about negative thinking. For me it was mostly a self-esteem/self-image/confidence issue, that came from negative experiences in the past.

What do you think about self-improvement books and audio tapes? You could try listening to Anthony Robbins and Brian Tracy audio tapes. I'm quite sure you will start to think more positively after listening to them.

Alternatively, you could go to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. A good CBT therapist will know many ways of changing your negative thought patterns.

I am a very negative thinker as well. I think it started as a kid, because I was so afraid of bad things happening. I had no control over the universe, so I developed an intense need to 'be prepared' for anything that might happen. I began a habit of trying to think and dwell over all the possible bad things that might happen so that I wouldn't be stunned or hurt if they did. Like that would protect me somehow. So it's a defense mechanism.

But now, as an adult, I still do the same thing. For example, if I thought I might be about to win a pile of money, I would immediately start to try and think of anything negative that might happen in order to prepare myself. I might lose most of it to taxes, strangers might come to my door looking for money, family might squabble over their fair share, people might treat me different, in the end it might make me feel less happy....and on and on and on.... exploring every negative possiblity until it comes around in a big circle until I don't even want to win the money in the first place!

Can you relate? Do you see how this is a trap, draining the joy out of everything? It all began as a way to protect and care for myself, but became something harmful and destructive. We have to learn to change our thinking habits, and it's not easy when your brain has been wired that way for a long time. I agree with Severijn - this is what CBT and DBT are all about.

I believe that I am the most negative thinker in the whole entire world!! I wish i wasn't but I can not help it. I used to be on medication for it but for some stupid reason got off of it and have not been on anything since! I think me of all people should be on soemthing to control my negative thoughts. i almost think my thoughts are obsessive.. i constantly am scared of death and dying and bad things happening. Im a severe hypochondriac. i always am scared that i have some serious illness. I think certain things are signs that something bad might happen. I am too afraid to let myself feel happy about anything in life because i am afraid if I feel happy something horrible will happen.. I am actually 9 months pregnant right now with a girl. I dont' share these thoughts that I have with my fiance because I am afraid he will think I am crazy. I fake feeling happy about our new baby when really I am scared out of my mind! i have a son already who is actually 11 right now. I think I am a good mother , at least I try to be , but I am just a very nervous and scared and worried person. I just want to feel like a normal person and enjoy life and be happy. I have nothing to be unhappy about. I have a wonderful man, a great son, a daughter on the way, amazing friends , a great home , a great neighborhood, a decent job , yet I feel like Im afraid to be happy . I dont' understand why. ..... ok I have rambled on enough!! I think i just really needed to vent!! so, basically , i know what its like to be a negative thinker thats for sure!!!