Updated: April 18, 2024

In cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), core beliefs are deeply held beliefs (or cognitions) about ourselves, others, and the world around us. These beliefs can be positive negative or neutral and can greatly influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - often creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. We all have negative core beliefs about ourselves at times but some of us have such deep-rooted negative beliefs that it leads to mental health struggles.

How Do Core Beliefs Work?

Negative core beliefs are deeply rooted thoughts we hold about ourselves, others, and the world around us. They usually stem from past experiences and can make us feel worthless, unloved, or powerless. These beliefs can create a cycle where our thoughts, feelings, and actions reinforce each other, making them come true in a way.

Here's how it works:

1. Seeing the Negative: People with negative core beliefs tend to see things in a negative light. For example, if someone feels like they're not good enough, they might think their friend cancelling plans means they're not liked.

2. Focusing on the Bad: Negative beliefs can make us focus too much on the bad stuff and ignore the good. This makes us feel even worse and keeps the negative beliefs going strong.

3. Acting on Beliefs: We often act in ways that match our beliefs. So, if someone believes they're not smart, they might avoid challenging tasks. But this just stops them from getting better and makes them feel even more incompetent.

4. Getting in Our Own Way: Negative beliefs can make us do things that mess things up for ourselves, like procrastinating or not letting ourselves be happy because we feel like we don't deserve it.

5. Only Seeing What We Believe: We tend to notice things that support what we already think. So, if we believe we're bad at something, we'll see all the times we mess up and ignore the times we do well.

6. Stuck in a Loop: All these thoughts, feelings, and actions keep feeding into each other, making the negative beliefs stronger and harder to break.

7. Looking for Proof: Sometimes, we even find people or situations that prove our negative beliefs right, which just makes them even more convincing.

Overall, negative core beliefs create a way of looking at the world that keeps us feeling bad about ourselves. Breaking free from this cycle means questioning those beliefs, looking for evidence that they're not true, and doing things that show us we're better than we think. Therapy and talking to someone can help with this.

7 Signs of Problematic Negative Core Beliefs

We all have negative beliefs sometimes, but when does it become a problem? Here are seven signs that your negative core beliefs could be interfering with the quality of your life.

1. Persistent Self-Criticism: Regularly engaging in harsh self-judgment and criticism, even in situations where it may not be warranted.

2. Excessive Perfectionism: Setting unrealistic standards for oneself and experiencing distress when unable to meet them, leading to a constant sense of failure.

3. Avoidance of Challenges: Avoiding or procrastinating on tasks or opportunities due to fear of failure or inadequacy, hindering personal growth and success.

4. Difficulty Accepting Compliments: Feeling uncomfortable or disbelieving when receiving praise or positive feedback, due to a deep-seated belief of being unworthy or undeserving.

5. Overreacting to Setbacks: Reacting disproportionately to setbacks or mistakes, viewing them as confirmation of personal flaws rather than as part of the normal learning process.

6. Isolation or Difficulty in Relationships: Struggling to form or maintain healthy relationships due to beliefs of being unlovable or unworthy of love and connection.

7. Negative Filtering of Experiences: Habitually focusing on and magnifying negative aspects of situations while minimizing or discounting positive aspects, reinforcing negative beliefs and emotions.

Identifying Negative Core Beliefs

Identifying and challenging negative core beliefs is a key treatment component of CBT. There are three common themese when it comes to negative core beliefs (Beck, 2011):

1. Unlovability

2. Powerlessness

3. Worthlessness

Here are some common CBT negative core beliefs that we may have, along with more positive alternatives:

1. Negative core belief: "I am not good enough." Positive core belief: "I am adequate and have strengths and weaknesses just like everyone else."

2. Negative core belief: "I am worthless." Positive core belief: "I am valuable and deserving of love and respect."

3. Negative core belief: "I am a failure." Positive core belief: "I have strengths and abilities, and I can learn from my mistakes."

4. Negative core belief: "People can't be trusted." Positive core belief: "There are trustworthy people in my life, and I can build positive relationships."

5. Negative core belief: "I am always to blame for everything that goes wrong." Positive core belief: "I am responsible for my actions, but other factors may also contribute to outcomes."

6. Negative core belief: "I am helpless and have no control over my life." Positive core belief: "I have the power to make positive changes in my life and take control of my future."

By identifying and challenging negative core beliefs, we can develop more positive and adaptive ways of thinking that can lead to improved mental health and well-being.

Tips for Positive Change

1. Identify Your Core Beliefs: Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings about yourself, others, and the world. Recognize recurring patterns of negativity and the beliefs driving them.

2. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Question the validity of your negative beliefs. Ask yourself for evidence that supports or contradicts these beliefs. Consider alternative perspectives and possibilities.

3. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially when facing challenges or setbacks. Replace self-criticism with self-compassionate language and actions.

4. Seek Supportive Relationships: Surround yourself with people who uplift and validate you. Share your struggles with trusted friends, family, or a therapist who can offer support and perspective.

5. Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks or goals into smaller, achievable steps. Celebrate your progress along the way, acknowledging your efforts and successes.

6. Challenge Perfectionism: Embrace imperfection as a natural part of the human experience. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others, focusing on growth and improvement rather than flawlessness.

7. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate awareness of your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help you observe negative thoughts without becoming overwhelmed by them.

8. Engage in Positive Activities: Pursue hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Engaging in pleasurable experiences can counteract negative beliefs and boost your mood.

9. Visualize Success: Imagine yourself overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals. Visualization techniques can help reprogram your mind to focus on positive outcomes.

10. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If negative core beliefs significantly impact your daily life or well-being, consider seeking therapy or counseling. A trained therapist can provide specialized techniques and support tailored to your needs. If you live in Ontario, book a free consultation (click the button below) with our clinic and we will match you with a therapist based on your mental health needs and goals.

Recommended Self-Help Books

1. "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David D. Burns: This classic book provides practical tools and exercises from CBT to challenge and change negative thinking patterns, including core beliefs that contribute to depression and anxiety.

2. "Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think" by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky: This workbook offers step-by-step guidance on using CBT techniques to identify and modify negative core beliefs, and develop healthier thinking patterns.

3. "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund J. Bourne: Focusing on anxiety and phobias, this workbook uses CBT strategies to help you understand and challenge negative beliefs that perpetuate anxiety, allowing for a more balanced and peaceful mindset.

4. "Overcoming Low Self-Esteem" by Melanie Fennell: Addressing low self-esteem, this book uses CBT-based exercises to identify and challenge negative core beliefs about oneself, fostering self-acceptance and self-worth.

5. "Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression" by Zindel V. Segal, Mark Williams, and John D. Teasdale: Combining mindfulness and CBT, this book provides helpful tools and insights to recognize negative core beliefs associated with depression and cultivate a compassionate and present-focused mindset.

6. "The CBT Toolbox: A Workbook for Clients and Clinicians" by Jeff Riggenbach: This practical workbook offers a wide range of CBT techniques, including exercises to identify and modify negative core beliefs, helping individuals build resilience and emotional well-being.

Connect with a CBT Therapist

Remember, while self-help books based on CBT can be helpful, they are not a substitute for professional psychotherapy. If negative core beliefs significantly impact your life, seeking guidance from a qualified mental health professional for personalized support and guidance is advisable.

At Virtual CBT Psychotherapy, we are CBT experts who can help you modify your negative beliefs and feel better about yourself, others and the world. Learn more about our services for anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD. Book a free consultation (click the black tab below) to learn more about negative core beliefs and how they can be treated with CBT.

Reference:

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.