![]() In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy ( CBT), the inner critic is not given a particular gestalt or name but is reduced to its output: automatic negative thoughts.ĪNTs, in turn, are driven by our core beliefs. It is much safer for the child to turn the criticism inward rather than outward and to blame the self for the suffered misfortunes.īut what might be a sensible survival mechanism in childhood can turn into a truly debilitating handicap in adulthood (Chamine, 2012). For example, children who feel unloved, are constantly criticized, or the victims of abuse will tend to blame themselves rather than their parents.Īs the child depends completely on their parents for survival, the conscious acknowledgment of the parents’ unfairness, cruelty, or incompetency is simply too devastating. ![]() In particular, it involves the construction of narratives about ourselves and others that are bearable. This includes not just spotting danger in our environment but also inner work in the form of psychological sense making. Originally, our inner critic had a positive function: to ensure our survival. It also involves the limbic system and the amygdala, which regulate our emotional responses, and can trigger the emission of the stress hormone cortisol (Chamine 2012, p. It relentlessly compares and contrasts and finds us wanting. Hyper-vigilant, it is constantly on the lookout for threats. ![]() This part of our brains is highly attuned to danger. More specifically, scientists have argued that we have a primitive “survivor brain” that encompasses the brain stem, the older part of our brain that is tasked with physical survival and the fight-or-flight response to danger. The brain and the inner criticĪ more scientific explanation of the origins of the inner critic locates it in particular parts of our brains. We may be more prone to abuse substances in order to numb this relentless torturer in our heads. We may deem ourselves unworthy and despicable, and expect the world to see us that way, too. If our superego is in overdrive, we spend most of our psychological energy on inner warfare and have little to give to the outside world (Freud, 1915/2001). The founding father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, explained the formation of our superegos as a process during which we internalize external views of ourselves – predominantly those of our parents (Freud, 1915/2001).Īt the same time, we accept wider social expectations and ethical norms, and start to generate ego ideals – of which we then regularly tend to fall short.įreud’s superego can be a cruel and self-flagellating force, which sadistically punishes and tyrannizes the ego. Most psychologists agree that the roots of our inner critics are to be found in childhood. Various theories, ranging from psychoanalytical to neuroscientific models, describe its origins and suggest strategies for how it can be silenced. The inner critic has been given numerous different labels. These detailed, science-based exercises will help you increase the compassion and kindness you show yourself and will also give you the tools to help your clients, students, or employees show more compassion to themselves. Fortunately, there are numerous effective strategies for weakening its power.īefore you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Self-Compassion Exercises for free. ![]() It magnifies the negative, spreading discontent and worse in our lives. The destructive voice in our heads is never satisfied and can soil and spoil anything we may achieve, no matter how impressive. Its strength and impact determine our overall mental wellbeing. ![]() Our inner critic can be a cruel and deeply damaging force. Its relentless destructive chatter is also described as negative self-talk. In CBT frameworks, its activities are summed up as automatic negative thoughts (ANTs). This voice has many names: inner critic, judge, saboteur, the superego. We all know this voice in our head that constantly criticizes, belittles, and judges us. ![]()
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