During IM training, I use the term ANTs alot. Automatic Negative Thoughts - ANTs. I borrowed the concept from Dr. Daniel Amen's book, Making a Good Brain Great. As many as 75% of the individuals I see, both children and adults, have atleast one day of some ANTs.
IM can measure the impact of these thoughts on mental processing extremely well. If a student has reached a predictable level in IM, say she is at 24 milliseconds on a both hands task. By writing down the IM score every minute or two, I can see the changes in this score, as well as in her mental processing. If in two minutes, the score gets worse by more than 5%, there is a reason. If there hasn't been a big distraction, the individual did not sneeze, nor did the phone ring, etc, then they probably have ANTs. Actually, the person's body language will very subtlely tell me what they are thinking too, just a little more slumped than usual, hitting a bit harder in frustration, hands are clapping lower than normal, feet shuffling. You get the picture.
When the task is over, I ask them, so what thoughts were you thinking during that task.... here at the beginning.... and here at the end. How about here when you scored this amazing 10 in a row! Most people that have the ability to self analyze will say something negative when their scores are getting worse. "I didn't think I could do it, the task was too long" etc, a subtle lack of belief in themselves. And then they express just the opposite feelings when the scores were improving. "I knew I could do it, I really wanted to reach my goal." Feelings of confidence, hopefulness, or even just taking the risk trying to reach a goal. Their body language says so too, standing upright, intense look in their eyes, controlled movement. Over a 15 minute task, people will move in and out of ANTs and their scores will follow them along the path! I think for some people this experience can be life changing. They see how their brain actually works.
I wrote this post because I wanted to share what Dr. Amen had to say about ANTs. Here's some quotes from his book, pg. 151- 153:
1. Do not believe every first thought you have.
2. Realize that your thoughts are extraordinarily powerful. Every time you have a thought, your brain releases chemicals. Every time you have a positive, happy, hopeful, grateful thought, your brain releases chemicals that help you feel better and have more efficient brain function. When you think awful, miserable, negative thoughts, your brain works less efficiently and is likely to put you into an emotional slump. Learn how to direct your thoughts to see the glass half full.
3. Recognize that thoughts lie, are easily distorted, and can rob you of joy.
People who suffer from depression, anxiety, and panic disorders are filled with what I call ANTs, automatic negative thoughts. They tend to predict the worse and focus on whatever is negative about a situation. It is as though an ANT infestation is sucking the life force out of the physical brain. If you suffer from this problem, it is important to develop an internal anteater to rid yourself of these pests and their nests. You will notice that many of those thoughts are irrational and hurtful. The act of writing down the ANTs takes away their power by turning off their emotional food supply and eventually choking the life out of them, allowing you to replace them with more helpful thoughts. Kill the ANTs, change your brain.
