Researchers study the role of negative repetitive thinking in various disorders

[Olm the Water King]

Worrying About the Future, Ruminating on the Past—How Thoughts Affect Mental Health - WSJ

Pretty interesting.

 

[SearchingforPeace]

Negative thought patterns definitely have a huge impact on mental health. The mind is not our friend, sometimes.

It also impacts physical health and strength.

If you have never done the following experiment, it is illuminating:

You need another person, first.

Then ask them to hold one arm out.

Ask them to have neutral thoughts or no thoughts.

Then using a few fingers, push down on the arm, gently but firmly.

Then ask them to have negative thoughts, about themselves or others (doesn't matter)

Now push down on the arm. How much effort was required?

Next tell the person to have happy, positive thoughts.

Now push down on the arm. How much effort was required?

In my experience, when filled with negative thoughts, only a finger is needed to push an arm down. When full of happy/positive thoughts, it takes a lot of effort to even move it much.

My mentally disturbed sons have so many negative thoughts that have almost immediate consequences on themselves. It is so sad.

 

[tkae.]

Correcting negative and maladaptive thought patterns is the basis of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. If you're interested in it, you should look up some Cognitive-Behavioral psychologists.