Self-Talk and Chronic Illness

"Whether we are aware of it or not, we talk to ourselves all day long. Our alarm rings in the morning and we think, "It's time to get up" or "I'm still sleepy" or "Wow, that alarm is annoying." We talk to ourselves at work and at home, in the car and on the bus, and while engaging in social and leisure time."

"Let's look at an example: You're someone who struggles with chronic pain and you notice an increase in your pain level. Here is one possible self-talk monologue in response to this situation: "I am hurting. I always hurt. Nothing I do helps. It's not fair that I have to be in pain all the time. If I could just spend one hour without pain . . . but that'll never happen. Listen to me, whining again. Nobody likes a crybaby.""

People carry an ongoing inner monologue that shapes emotions and behavior throughout daily life. Self-talk often runs unnoticed but can intensify discomfort into helplessness or self-criticism. Alternative, problem-focused self-talk can prompt concrete coping actions and gratitude for available strategies. Identifying self-talk that does not serve well is an important step toward change. The ARC framework provides a practical method: acknowledge unhelpful thoughts, apply rational evaluation, and change the narrative toward constructive alternatives. Consistent use of ARC fosters better coping skills, reduces negative self-judgment, and increases psychological well-being and happiness.

Read at Psychology Today