I have been taught the usual techniques for "talking back" to the negative thoughts that often run through my head. The problem is, this often just sets up an argument in my head, with one part saying the negative thing, and the other part saying that it's not true. And it seems that no matter how long I use these techniques, the negative thoughts keep coming back.

Can these negative thoughts that seem so ingrained in my brain ever go away? Or am I destined to have this internal war forever? It gets so tiring to think that the rest of my life will require constant vigilance and mental battles to keep going.

mj