Why can't I stop these thoughts?
I keep having these random thoughts that I don't want.  Things like "you aren't worth anything."  I know they're my own thoughts but it feels like someone else is saying it.

What is wrong with me, and how can I stop having these thoughts?
Diagnosis
<p>First off, there is nothing wrong with you. &nbsp;In fact, having random thoughts we feel we cannot control is actually quite common and normal. &nbsp;</p><p>Sometimes our thoughts think they are protecting us (if we think we aren't worth anything, it won't hurt when we get rejected) but they are actually doing quite the opposite. &nbsp;They are keeping us "stuck" and creating a self-prophization. &nbsp;(If I think I am not worth anything, I don't have to try, and I will keep proving to myself that I am not worth anything). &nbsp;</p><p>There are many techniques to work through and start to change our negative self-talk. &nbsp;There are actually many self-help workbooks that can help with this as well. &nbsp;</p><p>A technique I like to use is meditation or mindfulness. &nbsp;This can teach us to accept our thoughts (not fight them) and then learn to let them go. &nbsp;Release the power they have on us. &nbsp;If we can learn to release these and not ruminate on them, this will give us the space to allow more positive and supportive thoughts to come in. &nbsp;</p><p>Mantras can help with this as well (I AM worth a lot, I AM important, I have value). &nbsp;Saying these to yourself everyday over and over (even if at first you don't believe) can retrain our brains to believe it (and allow us to believe it). &nbsp;I have even wrote positive mantras to myself in my bathroom mirror so I am forced to look at these throughout the day.</p><p>Please remember to not be hard on yourself as you begin to attempt to change the automatic thought patterns. &nbsp;It took a while for you to get where you are and it will take a while for this change to kick in and feel normal. &nbsp;So allow the process to happen slowly and allow yourself to accept you as the amazing and brave person you are. &nbsp;</p>