I thought this was important enough that I should use my coffee break to mention it.
What is negative, what is positive? Just words really, but what do they mean to you?
I keep thinking there should be different words because in the rest of the world negative is not really a bad thing. In electricity it is a safe thing. In thunderstorms it is a deadly thing.
In anxiety and panic disorders negative is anything that is damaging to how you think. That is, as far as I am concerned, the key word. "Damaging" Positive is the opposite but here it gets expanded. Positive is "healing". Positive is "enlightening". Positive is "pleasant".
So what would be better words for these two sides of the same coin.
Negative is anything that causes a person to feel bad. Any form of bad. Mental or physical.
Negative thought can make you feel bad. So you don't want to go there. Back to that word again. "Negative". I keep thinking there should be a word that explains it better.
Positive on the other hand is anything that makes you feel good or leads to making you feel good.
Now let me throw a wrench in the works because I see it here often enough.
Negative can make you feel good in the form of venting. But in this case venting is a good reaction to a bad situation. AS LONG AS you feel good after and discard the vent.
BUT it can be like alcohol, one drink is okay, but one after another leads to depression. Thinking about everything bad that happens to you all day long will only lead to more bad.
Thinking about the few good things leads to more good things. Never mind the bad things, they happen to every one.
So I guess I've answered my own question.
Negative is bad thoughts and actions or thoughts and actions that make you unhappy and lead to anxiety and panic.
Positive is good thoughts and actions that lead to more good thoughts and actions.
So CBT is actually replacing bad thoughts and actions with good.
Why is this so hard to do? No honestly, why is it so hard to do? Because it is. Over and over we run back to the bad thoughts and actions. Anyone know why? I don't other than we are comfortable there. I just know not to, and I guess that is why I'm better now. I don't allow myself to rest there when they come up.
Davit. Coffee break is over, back to the grunge work. (positive in that I am doing it for more than just me)