Table of Contents
What Are 2 Examples Of Negative Thinking?
Common cognitive distortions include believing that you are unworthy of love or success, that everyone despises you, that you are to blame for your parents’ divorce, and other self-destructive beliefs. However, not all cognitive distortions are negative about oneself. Negative psychosocial variables like depressive symptoms, anxiety, loneliness, and hostility have cognitive components that are negative in nature. Depressive cognitions, for example, may include ideas of helplessness, hopelessness, and low self-worth. When things in our lives aren’t going so well, it’s normal to feel more pessimistic. Negative thinking on a regular or even constant basis may indicate depression, stress, anxiety, or low self-esteem. Even though it may seem strange, negativity can spread. Our bodies may release the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in response to persistently negative thoughts like anger, resentment, fear, or depression. Negative emotions, such as sadness, rage, loneliness, envy, self-criticism, fear, or rejection, can occasionally be challenging and even painful. This is particularly true when we experience a negative emotion excessively, strongly, or for an extended period of time. While everyone has occasional negative thoughts, persistent negative thinking that significantly alters how you perceive yourself and the outside world and even impairs work, study, and daily functioning may be a sign of a mental illness like depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, or dot. The human brain has a built-in propensity to give weight to (and remember) negative experiences or interactions more than positive ones because they stand out more.
Why Does The Brain Always Think Negative?
This is known as negativity bias among psychologists. Author and psychologist Rick Hanson asserts that “our brains are wired to scout for the bad stuff” and fixate on the danger. Your physical and emotional well-being are both impacted by pessimism. In fact, researchers have found that people with high levels of negativity are more likely to experience digestive problems, cardiovascular problems, and degenerative brain diseases, as well as to recover from illness more slowly. Basically, all negativity stems from one of three ingrained fears: the fear of being disrespected by others, the fear of not being loved by others, or the fear that “bad things” will happen. More destructive than constructive thought patterns can also have a negative impact on your physical and mental health, whether you’re fixating on the past or predicting the worst. According to studies, repeatedly thinking about upsetting experiences can eventually cause anxiety and depression, as Dr. Fowler cautions.
Automatic Negative Thoughts: Where Do They Come From?
Automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) are unfavorable thoughts that happen frequently. They are automatic reactions to particular circumstances that are rooted in your fundamental beliefs about you, other people, or the world. ANTs have been linked to depression, anxiety, self-doubt, rage, and irritability. You run a higher risk of developing dementia if you think negatively. Repeatedly thinking negatively, according to researchers, can make you more likely to get dementia. They pointed out that participants in a recent study who engaged in negative thinking repeatedly experienced more memory issues and cognitive decline. Numerous factors can contribute to negative thinking. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or another mental illness may be indicated by intrusive negative thoughts. According to the article “Negative Thinking and Depression: How One Fuels the Other,” negative thinking can also be a sign of depression. Guilt, perfectionism, and regret are the three negative mindsets that hold you back. Sometimes the biggest source of stress is your own mind and negative thinking, even though life can be stressful at times. You might be quick to criticize yourself, set unreasonable standards for yourself, or struggle to let go of past errors. Both anxiety and depressive disorders may exhibit recurrent negative thoughts. Rumination and worry are two distinct types of negative thoughts that repeat themselves.