How to Use the ABC Method to Combat Negative Thought Patterns
The psychology behind self-limiting beliefs.
“You are disturbed not by things, but by the views which you take of them.” — Epictetus
Much has been said about the Stoic mantra that you are not disturbed by things, but by the views which you take of them. Much less has been said about how to apply this in practice.
This is where modern psychology comes in. In the middle of the 20th century, several psychologists inspired by Stoic ideas began developing methods to change negative thoughts into positive ones. Collectively, this methodology is now known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Albert Ellis, one of the founders of an early version of CBT, noticed that his patients exhibited specific patterns of behavior. Different people would react differently to the same types of events. After thinking long and hard about the reasons for his, he came up with an interesting conclusion. He determined that there is a link between the thoughts you have and your beliefs, feelings, and behaviors.
So it is not the events themselves that cause emotional pain, but instead the beliefs that people hold about these events. This means that beliefs and emotions are…
