The Origin and Solution to A.N.T.S

What are A.N.T.S.? Aren’t they just pesky insects that we hate in south Texas?  That build huge mounds after a big rain storm? Well, yes, those are ants but I’m speaking of a different type of A.N.T.S., Automatic Negative Thoughts and many people suffer from them.  Automatic thoughts whether negative or positive often have their origins in a person’s childhood or other significant relationships.  They become a tape, for lack of a better term, running in one’s head, hence the “automatic” and are  often negative; the negative messages one heard and believed were true.  The person may believe they are unintelligent, unworthy, unattractive, or shameful to name a few.  They may even believe they are destined for a fruitless life. 
To correct these A.N.T.S one must make a deliberate effort to capture these thoughts and correct them.  I encourage people to do this by concentrating on the logical ideas that contradict the A.N.T.S.  For example, “I’m unintelligent.  No, the truth is I have a master’s degree and have been successful in completing my higher education so this cannot be a true statement. It must be an A.N.T.S.”  So the trick to improving these thoughts is to follow this process:

1. Figure out the emotional or situational trigger,
2. Discern the lie and/or negative emotion, and
3. Replace the lie with a new truth.

I know this process may seem too simple to work but in truth when you first start trying to change your thoughts it can be very difficult.  Steps 2 and 3 can be much harder than you think.  And although at first it may feel more fake, neuroscience has proven that our minds go towards the things we concentrate on so as you start to capture your thoughts on more positive things about yourself and others it will eventually take hold and become a more natural place for your mind to go.  This is a process that can improve how you look at yourself, your friends and family, your job, your situation, etc. assisting you in seeing the more positives in life and living in a space of more gratefulness.
Until next time,
Elizabeth   

This article does not constitute medical advice.  Please see our disclaimer. 

Copyright@2018 Elizabeth K. Oldham, MA, LPC-S, PLLC