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Are you feeling stuck? 

Dr Elizma van der Smit 

According to Tzezes in psycom.net, it happens to the best of us. There you are, happily going along your ordinary day-to-day when suddenly, a thought pops into your head from out of nowhere: “What if I’m making a big mistake?”  

And then comes the ripple effect: “I have no idea what I’m doing. Why did I say that? Why did I agree to do that? I can’t do that.”   

What ensues is a crippling chain reaction that, along with each ensuing negative thought, sets your mind on a deeper downward spiral towards virtual combustion, leaving you paralyzed. It’s like you’ve single-handedly managed to blow up your entire world in an instant—and all in the confines of your own mind. 

Negative thinking keeps us stuck!! 

Impact of negative thinking (spiritualresearchfoundation.org) 

Negative thinking can be debilitating for the person suffering from them. It often also affects the people around the individual. Listed below are some of the impacts of negative thinking : 

  • It affects our physical and mental health. 
  • It adversely affects our relationships. 
  • Negative thinking breaks our spirit and resolve to grow positively. 
  • Excessive negative thoughts can lead to severe anxiety or clinical depression, rebellion, and in extreme cases lead to self-harm or even harming others.  
  • It leads to minor disruptions in daily functioning. However, in extreme cases, it can escalate into incapacitating personal, 

social, and occupational impairments and even premature death. 

Here are a few things to try if you're feeling trapped or lost and think that there's no hope of any change in your life (Brown, 2022). 

  1. Realize that you are the one who created these thoughts, and you can be the one to create 

new thoughts. If you start thinking about possibilities, might you start to see possibilities? 

 

  1. Talk to someone who you see as NOT stuck. What do they think that you don’t? How did they create so many opportunities in their life? 

 

  1. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. If you’re tired and dehydrated, it’s only natural to think negative thoughts and begin to feel so lost in life. The body and the mind are related, and your brain will pull from your physical state to think thoughts that it feels relate to your physical feelings. 

Resources 

https://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-practice/steps-of-spiritual-practice/personality-defect-removal-and-improvement/how-to-stop-negative-thoughts/?gclid=CjwKCAiA_omPBhBBEiwAcg7smXcI8Erkq1FJaNvNe5W21u5BTjHR4sFUCJ7S_rv_A6XGH51MjWGqaRoCxs0QAvD_BwE 

This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393. 

This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.