Thoughts That Cause Stress

We’re all human, and no matter who you are, we all experience moments of self-doubt, insecurity, and even uselessness.  It is important to understand that these thoughts should be temporary, short-lived, and infrequent.  If you think you spend too much time focusing on any one or more of these thoughts that cause stress, then you may want to try to find a way to stop being so hard on yourself.  Talking to a loved one is a good place to start.  However, it is important to understand that professional counseling is available and can be enormously helpful for some people who are stressed-out or depressed.  Do not feel like there’s something wrong with you for thinking these thoughts – just be open to the possibility that there are different ways to think about yourself that may make you a happier person. 

• Making mistakes is terrible.
• It is essential to be loved by everyone.
• I must always be competent.
• Every problem has a perfect solution.
• If others criticize me, I must have done something wrong.
• I can't change the way I think.
• I must rarely show weakness or cry.
• Strong people do not ask for help.
• Everything is within my control.
• Other people should see things the same way I do.
• People should do what I want because they love me.
• The world ought to be fair.