Healthy Negative Emotions: Why Feeling Bad Isn’t Always Bad
A common misconception about therapy is that its goal is to eliminate negative, uncomfortable emotions. However, one of the key insights from cognitive psychology is this: negative emotions can be healthy—and even beneficial. They are part of our biological makeup and serve important, adaptive functions. The goal isn’t to get rid of these emotions but to understand them better so we can use them to our advantage. Unhealthy vs. Healthy Negative Emotions Cognitive psychology shows that unhealthy emotions—such as anxiety, depression, guilt, and rage—usually arise from dysfunctional beliefs. These beliefs tend to be rigid, extreme, or unrealistic. As a result, the emotions they trigger are intense, overwhelming, and unproductive, often leading to avoidance, paralysis, or self-defeating behaviors. In contrast, healthy negative emotions—like concern, sadness, remorse, and frustration—stem from realistic and flexible beliefs. These emotions are still painful and uncomfortable but remain...