One thing that finally dawned on me (after several years!) is that it's not just having a laundry list of negative thoughts that is the problem - where did all the positive thoughts go? Where is optimism, hope, self-confidence, ambition, poise, curiosity, all that wonderful "pleasure seeking, goal oriented thoughts and behaviors" stuff ... where did it mysteriously disappear to? It is worthwhile noticing what one does not think or do, as well as what one does think or do.