Mental Health

Negative Thinking Damages Mental Health

By Leian N. | Update Date: Jan 04, 2017 08:09 PM EST

A recent study suggested that human brains usually develop negative thinking patterns through bad experiences compared to positive ones. In fact, it has been considered as an evolutionary adaptation that has enabled humans to defer from crises.

In fact, it was determined by a psychologist that children, in particular, develop negative thinking habits due to experiences of being bullied, trauma, or mental abuse. 

Judith Beck, a psychologist, and president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy based in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., claimed that women were most likely to analyze experiences more than men. According to a 2013 study, women were more prone to instill negative thinking habits, reported New York Times

Some people were also named to be more prone than others that thinking styles were found to be either genetic or based on childhood experiences. In fact, Rick Hanson, a psychologist and senior fellow at the Greater Good Science Center, University of California, Berkeley, said that human anatomy was designed to learn more from negative experiences than good ones.

To remedy the negative thinking, CBS News reported that the book "The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer" by Elizabeth Blackburn suggested that eating well, having ample sleep and instilling a positive mind would reduce negative thinking.

During an interview last Tuesday, Blackburn stated that negative thinking can be controlled as humans could manipulate their thoughts. She also suggested that the activity is exciting since it can be triggered by the person. Furthermore, Dr. Beck likewise suggested that a person should list his or her accomplishments and put into action positive gestures from friends to counteract the negative feeling.

Breathing exercises were also recommended especially when the person feels agitated and overwhelmed.

© 2023 Counsel & Heal All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics