It’s important that we learn to reframe our negative thoughts as we’re working toward a more positive life. Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress engage in negative self-talk almost all the time. In fact, the majority of the stress, turmoil, and anxiety PTSD sufferers experience comes from their own internal monologue. This means, very little of what causes these symptoms actually stems from real, tangible circumstances in the post-trauma state.
Knowing this can be extremely enlightening to those who are living with PTSD. Consciously becoming aware of how often we engage in negative self-talk and trying to eliminate this as much as possible can completely transform our lives. In order to reframe our negative thought patterns, though, we have to practice mindfulness and actually become more aware of when we’re participating in destructive thinking.
For instance, when you enter into a new relationship, negative self-talk can intensify, and you may begin to believe many things about your new partner that simply aren’t true. You may think this person despises you for being so critical of him or her, is bored with the bond, is probably wishing he or she were with someone else. All of this self-talk focuses on the other person’s thoughts about you.
This is the inner critic attempting to make you believe, yet again, you are unworthy, and it’s a common recurring thought pattern for PTSD sufferers who have developed the post-trauma disorder as a result of sadistic or toxic bonds with others. As a defense mechanism, one finds it safer to believe the current relationship will also fail. This way, you don’t get our hopes up for a more positive outcome and when things go south – and, they inevitably will – your self-talk reminds you, “I told you so.”
As long as this perspective exists within, we will be unable to be happy with an intimate partner and we will actually drive the relationship to failure. If you cannot fully realize and appreciate all of the good in the partnership, there isn’t a solid foundation upon which it can stand.
Remember the law of attraction – like attracts like. If you are constantly viewing things in a negative way, this is contagious. Those who are most successful have learned to quiet their inner critic and believe that anything is possible, if only they set their mind to it. The trick to overcoming naysaying, internal or external, is learning to flip the switch and reframe destructive patterns, so you can begin to think more positively.
