automatic negative thoughts

Managing Automatic Negative Thoughts

by John Nolan
11th April 2025

Automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) are spontaneous, often negative and distorted thoughts that can significantly impact well-being. Experiencing frequent ANTs can lead to mental exhaustion, overthinking, and negative self-perception, potentially linked to overactivity in brain regions like the anterior cingulate cortex and the amygdala, and the development of negative thought habits. However, various self-help strategies, including increasing awareness, challenging and reframing thoughts, practising thought defusion, engaging in positive self-talk, focusing on solutions, and acceptance, can help individuals to manage and reduce the impact of these unwanted thoughts.

Automatic Negative Thoughts: Origins, Impact, and Management

by John Nolan
21st January 2025

Automatic Negative Thoughts are spontaneous, negative thought patterns that are influenced by our negativity bias, habitual thinking, emotional triggers and past experiences. Instead of fighting against these thoughts, the most effective approach is to acknowledge and identify them, challenge and reframe them, create distance from them, and practise mindfulness and self-compassion. Techniques such as journaling, focusing on coping thoughts, and actively shifting the focus on solutions can help individuals manage the impact of ANTs.

Understanding The Anxiety Management Coach25th April 2025
An anxiety management coach empowers individuals to understand and effectively manage their anxiety rather than solely aiming for its elimination. Drawing on philosophies such as solution-focused therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the coach utilises a range of tools and techniques including questioning, breathing exercises, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, relaxation, goal setting, and exposure. The coaching process is collaborative, focusing on building self-awareness, accepting anxious feelings, and committing to valued actions. Anxiety management coach support is applicable to various forms of anxiety, including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, workplace anxiety, and performance anxiety, ultimately helping clients to build confidence and live more fulfilling lives.
The role of client values in ACT therapy for anxiety23rd April 2025
Client values play a central and fundamental role in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for anxiety disorders. Unlike traditional approaches that primarily focus on reducing or controlling anxiety, ACT emphasises living a life that is rich, full, and meaningful, guided by what is truly important to… Read More »The role of client values in ACT therapy for anxiety
ACT’s primary goals in treating anxiety disorders23rd April 2025
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has two major primary goals when treating anxiety disorders: (1) fostering acceptance of unwanted thoughts and feelings whose occurrence or disappearance clients cannot control, and (2) commitment and action toward living a life that they value. This means that ACT aims… Read More »ACT’s primary goals in treating anxiety disorders
The role of neuropathically play in overcoming anxiety22nd April 2025
Neuroplasticity plays a fundamental role in overcoming anxiety. It refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to change its structure and function throughout life by forming new neural connections. This means that the neural pathways underlying anxious thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are not fixed and can be… Read More »The role of neuropathically play in overcoming anxiety
An outline of the brain’s dual pathways to generating anxiety.22nd April 2025
The brain has two main pathways that can lead to the generation of anxiety. These pathways, although distinct, can also work together. The cortex pathway begins with the sense organs and travels through the thalamus to the cerebral cortex, the thinking part of the brain. The… Read More »An outline of the brain’s dual pathways to generating anxiety.