Here's an example
Heard the bells of an ice cream truck yesterday - a warm, late-summer/autumn afternoon. Nice sound, brings back memories....
Half thinking of running out for a Creamsicle or something, and BAM!
The thought of a child getting hit by a car pops into the old noggin.
WTF, Brain?!
Automatic Negative Thoughts
-
snoringdog
- Posts: 1543
- Joined: April 23rd, 2019, 5:49 pm
- Gender: male
- Issues: anxiety, depression, automatic negative thoughts, intrusive thoughts, SAD.
- preferred pronoun: "Good Boy!"
- Location: USA
Re: Automatic Negative Thoughts
I’m not sure why, but I am glad that you are using your words.
THanks for sharing.
THanks for sharing.
Work is love made visible. -Kahlil Gibran
A person with a "why" can endure any "how". -Viktor Frankl
Which is better: to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Skyrim
A person with a "why" can endure any "how". -Viktor Frankl
Which is better: to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? -Skyrim
-
snoringdog
- Posts: 1543
- Joined: April 23rd, 2019, 5:49 pm
- Gender: male
- Issues: anxiety, depression, automatic negative thoughts, intrusive thoughts, SAD.
- preferred pronoun: "Good Boy!"
- Location: USA
Re: Automatic Negative Thoughts
Just an example, many more available. 
Maybe not so weird. If our brains are wired to predict possible outcomes to help us anticipate situations, then this could be helpful.
(That is, If I had children and was buying them ice cream, or sending them out with a pocketful of change. Otherwise, just anxiety-producing mental noise).
SD
Maybe not so weird. If our brains are wired to predict possible outcomes to help us anticipate situations, then this could be helpful.
(That is, If I had children and was buying them ice cream, or sending them out with a pocketful of change. Otherwise, just anxiety-producing mental noise).
SD
-
Heatherwantspeace
- Posts: 365
- Joined: August 21st, 2018, 11:05 am
- Gender: F
- preferred pronoun: she
Re: Automatic Negative Thoughts
SD, have you ever followed these thoughts through to their completion? Don't do it if it doesn't feel right!!!! but when I stay in a hotel that's on an upper floor for some reason I think about my cats being on the balcony and falling off (???). I've started imaging it really happening, in a very mild way not too bloody, and it's actually calmed my brain down and been less distressing than I thought it would be. Still unpleasant for sure, but it takes away the reoccurring demanding quality.
Your brain may vary
but I thought I would share.
Heather
Your brain may vary
but I thought I would share.Heather
-
snoringdog
- Posts: 1543
- Joined: April 23rd, 2019, 5:49 pm
- Gender: male
- Issues: anxiety, depression, automatic negative thoughts, intrusive thoughts, SAD.
- preferred pronoun: "Good Boy!"
- Location: USA
Re: Automatic Negative Thoughts
Hello Heather,
No, but I understand that that's a good idea.
(In the past I'd try to dodge them with a shake of the head, but then worried that I'd develop a tic!).
The little app I've been testing makes a similar suggestion as yours, and also not trying to fight them, but let them float by.
These ANTs aren't a big problem most of the time, but once in a while when one pops in it takes my breath away, and leaves me a little shaken. Like a punch to the gut that takes the previous pleasant thought away...
SD
No, but I understand that that's a good idea.
(In the past I'd try to dodge them with a shake of the head, but then worried that I'd develop a tic!).
The little app I've been testing makes a similar suggestion as yours, and also not trying to fight them, but let them float by.
These ANTs aren't a big problem most of the time, but once in a while when one pops in it takes my breath away, and leaves me a little shaken. Like a punch to the gut that takes the previous pleasant thought away...
SD