How to Deal with Negative Self-Talk
Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Negative self-talk is a common yet harmful internal dialogue that can significantly impact mental health. It involves critical, self-defeating thoughts that erode self-esteem and reinforce anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. These internal messages often become automatic, repeating themselves over time and shaping how we perceive ourselves, our abilities, and our worth. Learning to recognize and reframe negative self-talk is a crucial step in building emotional resilience and supporting overall well-being. What Is Negative Self-Talk? Negative self-talk includes the internal narratives that are overly critical, pessimistic, or self-sabotaging. Examples include thoughts like “I’m not good enough,” “I always mess things up,” or “No one cares what I have to say.” These thoughts are often rooted in cognitive distortions, such as black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, or personalizing. According to Beck’s cognitive model of depression, these patterns can create …
