We all have an inner critic — that voice that says, “You’re useless. You’ll never get it right.”
For people struggling with anxiety or depression, that voice doesn’t just whisper. It shouts. And it keeps shouting until you believe it.
Negative self-talk isn't just about low self-esteem. It shapes how you experience the world. It can leave you feeling defeated before you even get out of bed, let alone start your day.
Learn To Love Yourself!
What Is Negative
Self-Talk?
It’s that internal script that tells you you’re not good enough. Sometimes it mimics your own voice. Sometimes it sounds like a critical parent, teacher, or boss. And when you’re dealing with anxiety or depression, that nasty voice runs on a loop.
You might say things like:
- “I mess everything up.”
- “They probably think I’m annoying.”
- “What’s the point in trying?”
The worst part? You might not even realise you’re doing it — it’s become the background noise of your life.
Why It Matters
Negative self-talk feeds anxiety and
depression like fuel to a fire. It reinforces hopelessness, shame, and
isolation.
It keeps you stuck.
Therapy helps you notice these patterns, understand where they came from, and gradually build a more realistic and kinder inner voice.
A Note on Guilt and “Toxic Positivity”
This doesn’t mean forcing yourself to chant affirmations in the mirror or pretending everything’s fine. That kind of “just think positive!” advice can make things worse.
This is about learning how to challenge the
voice that lies to you.
The one that says you're a failure when you’re really just having a bad week.
The one that says you’re weak for struggling, when in truth, you’ve been strong
for far too long.
How Therapy Can Help
In therapy, we work together to:
- Spot the patterns that hurt you
- Understand where they came from
- Learn how to talk to yourself differently, without pretending everything is perfect
You don’t have to fight that inner critic on your own.
📩 Email me at ellen.whyte@gmail.com if you’d like to talk about getting started with therapy. I work online, offer flexible hours, and sessions cost just £45.
