Overcoming Mental Illness: Understanding the Power of Thoughts and Their Origins

Mental illness, particularly anxiety and depression, has become a pervasive issue in today's society. Individuals suffering from these conditions often feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions that they cannot seem to control. However, what if the root of many of these troubling thoughts doesn't come from the persons mind at all? What if, instead, the vast majority of negative thoughts that people experience up to 90% arent truly their own, but are instead picked up from the environment and other people? This perspective offers a new path to healing, a path where individuals can regain control over their mental health by understanding how thoughts are absorbed and how to discern what is genuinely their own.

The Idea of Thought Transmission: We Are Receivers, Not Creators

A key premise to understanding the nature of anxiety and depression is the concept that most of our thoughts may not actually originate from within us. Instead, they could be picked up from our environment whether thats from the emotions and thought patterns of others or from the broader atmosphere around us. Think of the mind as a radio receiver, constantly tuned into frequencies emitted by people and the environment, whether consciously or unconsciously.

When we are surrounded by negative emotions or high levels of stress, it becomes easier to pick up those emotional and mental waves without even realizing it. An empath, for instance, has an even stronger ability to absorb the emotions and thoughts of others, often feeling overwhelmed by them because they cannot always differentiate between what is theirs and what is not. This is especially true in today's fast-paced world, where the collective mental atmosphere full of fear, worry, and uncertainty can be highly influential on an individuals emotional state.

The Concept of 90%: How Much of Our Thoughts Aren't Ours?

One of the most startling revelations for many people with mental illness is the idea that 90% of their thoughts may not be theirs at all. Instead, they could be absorbing other peoples worries, stress, and fears, as well as societal influences that perpetuate negativity. If you're surrounded by individuals who often express anxiety or depression, or live in a high-stress environment, its easy to absorb those mental patterns. People might unconsciously adopt the same fears and anxieties as those around them, believing these negative thoughts to be their own.

For instance, when you walk into a room where someone is upset or anxious, you may begin to feel the same way even if you were not feeling that emotion before entering. This phenomenon is known as motional contagion,where emotions and thoughts are transferred through social interaction and environmental cues.

This can be especially true for empaths, who are highly sensitive to the energy and emotions of others. They might walk into a room and feel the collective emotions of everyone in that space, without being able to separate those feelings from their own.

Step-by-Step: How to Distinguish Your Thoughts from Others

Understanding that most of your negative thoughts are not actually yours is the first step toward healing. But how can you begin to discern what is truly your own thought versus what you've absorbed from others or your environment? Here is a step-by-step guide to help you differentiate between your thoughts and those that are external:

1. Observe Your Thoughts Without Judgment

Start by observing your thoughts throughout the day. Notice any patterns are there recurring worries or fears that seem out of proportion or unrelated to your current life situation? These are often signs that the thoughts may not be originating from you. Pay particular attention to thoughts that come on suddenly or intensely.

2. Check Your Emotional State

Ask yourself how you feel when a certain thought arises. Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or drained when a specific thought pops up? These emotions might be indicators that you're picking up on someone else's energy or anxiety, particularly if the emotions dont seem connected to any concrete issue in your own life.

3. Take a Mental Step Back

When you notice a thought or emotion that feels overwhelming or foreign, take a step back and mentally distance yourself from it. Imagine that you're observing your own thoughts as if from an outsiders perspective. Does the thought feel out of alignment with your usual thinking or personality? If it does, it could be a sign that you're picking up on someone elses energy.

4. Practice Grounding and Centering Techniques

Engage in grounding exercises, such as deep breathing, meditation, or spending time in nature, to help you center yourself. These practices help you reconnect with your true self and separate your personal thoughts and feelings from those you've absorbed from the environment.

5. Affirm Your Boundaries

Mentally affirm that you are in control of your thoughts and emotions. You can declare to yourself, These thoughts are not mine,†and consciously release any negative energy that isnt serving you. Practice this regularly to strengthen your ability to discern and protect yourself from external influences.

6. Check Your Surroundings

If you find that certain environments, people, or media leave you feeling drained or overwhelmed, it may be time to reconsider your exposure to them. Being selective about where you spend your time and who you interact with can significantly reduce your absorption of negative energy.

7. Seek Support and Guidance

Consult with a therapist or counselor who can help you navigate the process of identifying and working through external influences on your thoughts. They can guide you through strategies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness to help you process your thoughts in a healthier, more objective way.

Benefits of Recognizing External Thoughts

The ability to distinguish your own thoughts from those of others has profound implications for mental health. Recognizing that a large portion of your anxiety or depression stems from external sources allows you to take back control over your mind and emotions. Here are a few of the benefits:

Reduced Emotional Overwhelm

When you understand that not all your emotions and thoughts are your own, you can begin to detach from them. This reduces the sense of emotional overwhelm that comes from absorbing other peoples fears, worries, and anxieties.

Improved Mental Clarity

As you differentiate between your own thoughts and external influences, your mental clarity improves. You will be able to better focus on what matters to you, without being bogged down by irrelevant or foreign mental noise.

Greater Emotional Resilience

Learning to discern between your thoughts and those of others allows you to build emotional resilience. You'll be less reactive to the emotions and mental patterns of the people around you, making it easier to navigate challenging situations without being derailed by external negativity.

Increased Self-Awareness

As you engage in the process of self-reflection, you become more self-aware. This increased awareness helps you to recognize and cultivate positive thought patterns while discarding those that no longer serve you.

Time frame for Results

While everyone's journey is different, most people can begin to experience noticeable results within a few weeks to a couple of months by practicing these steps consistently. The time frame largely depends on the individuals commitment, their level of self-awareness, and their emotional resilience.

In the beginning, it may feel like a difficult task to separate your thoughts from others, but with regular practice, you'll gradually become more adept at recognizing whats truly yours. The more you refine this process, the quicker and easier it will be to maintain mental clarity and emotional well-being.

Conclusion: Empowering Yourself Through Awareness

Understanding that 90% of the thoughts that lead to anxiety and depression may not even be yours is a powerful step toward healing. By recognizing that you are more of a receiver than a creator of thoughts, you can take back control of your mental health. This awareness allows you to discern between your own thoughts and those that belong to others, creating space for greater emotional clarity, resilience, and peace.

Mental illness doesn't have to be a lifelong struggle. By tuning into your own thoughts and protecting yourself from external emotional influences, you can begin to heal and reclaim your mental well-being one thought at a time.