Most people have a running dialogue in their head. It seems like all day long that voice is talking and never shuts up. For many people this inner voice can feel like a nuisance, and some get really good at tuning it out. There is actually a good reason to pay attention to that voice because it is likely either helping you or harming you. If it’s the latter, then it is quite important to examine and work on modifying and changing that voice. With a pessimistic and negativistic slant or bias, many people end up being self-deprecating which can have a cumulative effect over time.
How self-talk can be helpful
Our inner monologue helps us process events throughout our day and can be helpful in this regard. When our self-talk takes a cheery and positive quality it can be instrumental in providing encouragement and reassurance to ourselves as we face challenges and obstacles. It can also have a calming and reassuring effect when with are experiencing anxiety and stress. Positive self-talk can also be used to motivate us to achieve goals, persevere on tasks, and help us focus on the bigger picture. A positive inner dialogue can facilitate greater happiness, confidence, and success.
How self-talk can be harmful
Those who have negative and harsh self-talk often end up developing an inner critic that is prone to beating themselves up in a very self-deprecating way. These could include inner thoughts and beliefs such as, “I’m such a loser” or “I suck at everything”. Negative self-talk rarely reflects reality and tends to distort or amplify weaknesses or failures. Over time this can fuel both depression and anxiety. Negative self-talk has the potential to impact countless areas of our life such as self-esteem, body image, sexual performance, social interactions, career achievement and promotion, and much more.
Maple Grove Psychiatrists
If your self-talk is negative and impacts your life, it may be time to take action. Learning to control and redirect self-talk is something you can achieve. If you want to get that voice working for you rather than against you, feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule a consultation with one of our psychologists or psychiatrists so we can help discuss treatment options. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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