Soapbox Psychology

Breaking negative thought patterns could ward off anxiety, depression

Newer mental health therapies focus more on how people think than what they’re thinking about

This illustration shows a silhouette of a person with a scribbled cloud rising from their head. Getting stuck in negative thoughts common to many mental health disorders.

Repetitive negative thinking is common in patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia and suicidal ideation. Transdiagnostic clinicians seek to dismantle those problematic thinking patterns, even absent an official diagnosis.

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By Sujata Gupta

Nipping negative repetitive thinking in the bud has the potential to stave off numerous mental health disorders.

Think Eeyore and Piglet. Cheerful Piglet is a chronic worrier, coping with anxiety; glum Eeyore mulls over everything that might go wrong, sinking into depression.