Types of thoughts

A thought is just a thought. A thought is not necessarily a fact.

To better understand the relationship between mood and thoughts, it helps to categorize thoughts into different types.

The figure below describes a range of thoughts from the most unhelpful (often negative) to the most helpful (often positive).

  • “I’m ugly.”
  • “I’m going to have a difficult baby. He/she is already kicking a lot.”
  • They don’t change anything.
  • They stop you from taking action.
  • They make you feel worse.

  • “I’m creating life.”
  • “I can buy new clothes.”
  • “I have to go see my doctor.”
  • They are not just “positive thoughts”.
  • They put you in control.
  • They make you feel better.
  • They help you accomplish things.

At all stages of life, it is normal to have both helpful and unhelpful thoughts. This is also true for thoughts about your pregnancy and parenthood.