Lesson 6 · The mind's commentary

Automatic negative thoughts and distortions

Pay attention to your mind for thirty seconds during your next slightly awkward moment. You'll hear a running commentary that sounds something like:

"They're going to think I'm boring. I should have said something funnier. They're probably wondering when they can leave. Why did I bring that up — it sounded weird."

That commentary is what CBT calls automatic negative thoughts. ANTs for short. They run on autopilot — faster than you can catch them, persuasive enough to feel like facts. This lesson is about catching them and seeing them for what they are.