Everyone experiences negative thoughts from time to time. These thoughts are often automatic and difficult to control. When left unchecked, they can affect how a person feels and acts, leading to bigger emotional struggles.
The Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) Poster identifies 15 common types of negative thinking patterns that can impact clients in many ways. Each type is clearly explained and paired with examples, so that clients may easily recognize if they are dealing with each thought.
Recognizing ANTs can help kids and teens manage their emotions more effectively and practice reframing their thoughts into more positive ones. With the guidance of trusted adults, young people can feel empowered to take control of their thinking.
Parents and caregivers can use this poster as a starting point to discuss self-awareness and emotional health. Activities like keeping a thought journal or practicing ways to challenge negative thoughts into positive ones can further help young people.
Our 19-page CBT Handouts Bundle can support clients learning about automatic negative thoughts.
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Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of CBT worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Arpin-Cribbie, C. A., & Cribbie, R. A. (2007). Psychological correlates of fatigue: Examining depression, perfectionism, and automatic negative thoughts. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(6), 1310-1320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.03.020
- Flouri, E., & Panourgia, C. (2012). Negative automatic thoughts and emotional and behavioural problems in adolescence. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 19(1), 46-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12004
- Hou, Y., Yan, D., Jiang, L., Sun, Z., & Na, L. (2024). Relation between dysfunctional attitude and depressive symptoms in adolescents: The acting path of negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style. Sichuan Mental Health, 37(1), 125–130.
- Schniering, C. A., & Rapee, R. M. (2004). The relationship between automatic thoughts and negative emotions in children and adolescents: A test of the cognitive content-specificity hypothesis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113(3), 464-470. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.113.3.464
