Dispelling negative thoughts

66Mustang

Does anyone find they have trouble countering or dealing with negative thoughts?

For a while now I've been struggling with thoughts that I'm not a good person or not a nice person or somehow am unworthy of doing things that will make me happy that others can do

I try to logically think about these things but then this turns into overthinking. I think you have to have a balance where you don't stop thinking altogether, but this can so easily become overthinking!!

It also seems like I need to find LOTS of things that reinforce that I am a good person, just to counter ONE reason that I might be a bad person

Does anyone else have this problem and do you have any coping tips??

66Mustang

Thanks @letitbe for understanding and for the response

I've tried all sorts of not so healthy stuff to cope myself, like alcohol and self harm and stuff. I'm not doing anything bad now but the thoughts seem worse than ever to be fair and to say I'm not tempted to go back would be a lie, but I just don't fancy alcohol anymore and feel so much better in other ways for not drinking

I hope the therapy helps you a lot and you get a lot out of it, it would be great if you could keep us updated on how it goes if you are able and happy to

It's kind of weird, how I feel r.e. what you say about "not being good enough" because I do feel that but kind of in a different way. I know inside myself that there are good things about me, and I think I'm a valuable person in my own way…but I kind of think others don't recognise those things, so while I'm good enough by my own standards I feel like I'm not good enough for other people

This is really simplifying and stupid but it's almost like society is a building site and I'm a skilled mathematician or something going for a job as a builder … I go to the building site and they say "yeah you are good at maths but you can't haul bricks so you're no use to us" … I kind of feel treated like that by society if that makes sense 🤔

I'm not sure if you could understand or relate to that??

Steve_in_The_City

Hi. We all have self doubts. That is a natural thing and it is ok to have these feelings. No one really knows what is going on in your own headspace, even you yourself don't know what is happening inside your head. It just happens and you have no control.

It is not true to believe that therapists are only after money. You have to provide a very safe place for your client to be in and it costs serious bucks.

66Mustang

Thanks so much to you both for being so understanding

It really seems like so many people just don't care unless you threaten suicide or something and even then they just do it because it's seen as the right thing to do

It's so reassuring to speak with people who seem to get it

I've had another knock back today as I got triggered by a post. I am into equality and stuff but I strongly disagree with fighting inequality with inequality (e.g. saying women are better than men). I have been made to feel like an enemy and unwanted for being born as a male, even though I don't really identify as any gender. I'm going to take a break from the forum for a few hours and go for a drive which I guess will please some people. To all my friends who are reading please know this isn't aimed at you ❤️

Steve_in_The_City

I think you are very sensitive. I hope you enjoy your drive and see you back on the forum soon.

Jimm_Scope

Sometimes I try to write down what it is that is bothering me. It can be hard to do, but I then go through and list 'evidence' that is for and against such a thing. It's mostly to try and stop my brain ruminating about it and thinking more… reasonably? Not sure if that's the right term. It can be hard to get used to it, and even now I don't always do it. It has helped at times to get me out of that loop of negative thinking though.

Strawberry1

I have a lot of negative thoughts about myself not being good enough or disliking myself. Thinking I'm a burden etc . I think some of these are ADHD traits from what I've read. I'm still awaiting an assessment.

Strawberry1

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this too @66Mustang . I can empathise with you .

WhatThe

I've had another knock back today as I got triggered by a post. I am into equality and stuff but I strongly disagree with fighting inequality with inequality (e.g. saying women are better than men). I have been made to feel like an enemy and unwanted for being born as a male, even though I don't really identify as any gender.

66Mustang, I'm guessing this might be about my post?? I'm sorry you were triggered by my comments but I didn't say anything of the sort.

Equality means different things to different people but personally, I don't think we're anywhere near achieving it and see only advantages in being born male. I hope you feel better after your drive.