Challenge the negative mind

November 5th, 2008 by Jayne Cox

We all know what it's like to have a negative thought and I wonder can you imagine what it's like to have this internal battle with negative thoughts daily and seemingly without end.

This is the mindset of an eating disorder sufferer, it's frightening, exhausting and makes rational thinking seem impossible. Which 'voice' do you listen to and which one do you believe?

Challenging the negative mind is a powerful and effective way to help change this pattern of thinking and also allows you take control over your thoughts

Preparation...

You may have increased feelings of guilt, anger and moodiness as you challenge your negative thoughts and behaviours. It's a good idea that loved ones, carers and friends are aware of this and that you also take some responsibility for your actions. The battle with negative thoughts, behaviours and 'demands' may appear to increase as you challenge, remember this is short lived and I'd encourage you to continue with the battle. After the anxiety reaches a peak you do feel a sense of calm and you move a step forward in the recovery process. The calm after the storm.

Tips...

• Challenge your thoughts, regarding food and rituals that are part of the eating disordered behaviour. If you're unsure seek help to identify these.

• Question yourself as to ‘why’ you must do something. For example ‘weigh yourself’, ‘be secretive’, ‘reduce food intake’ and ‘engage in ritualistic behaviours’.

• Remember that eating disordered thinking isn’t the truth, changing behaviour doesn’t mean you are unsafe. Recovery requires this positive change.

• Visualize recovery, what you want and how you are going to get there. Plan the way forward and perhaps make a vision board.

• Think about the time you will have to do other things, when time is not spent obsessing about food, rituals and negative beliefs.

• As you have success challenging the negative voice it becomes weaker.

• Write about the positive experiences you have, it's easier to write negatively but resist this.

• Facing fear makes you stronger and able to deal with the process of recovery. Fears you believed in will lessen and you learn that a lot of these were unfounded.

• Write about your feelings regularly. Perhaps mark with smilies to identify good times, to help you through the not so good.

• Look to create different structure to your day to break the negative behaviour. Change routines .

• “I CAN RECOVER”, make this your mantra from today!