The EAT acronym to describe a process of dealing with negative emotions stands for:

The EAT acronym, which stands for Emotion - Automatic Problematic Thoughts - Turn-around Thoughts, provides a structured approach to dealing with negative emotions effectively.

This method begins with recognizing the initial emotion being experienced, which is crucial as it establishes the foundation for addressing the subsequent thoughts that can arise from that emotion. The next step focuses on identifying Automatic Problematic Thoughts, which are often negative or distorted thoughts that can exacerbate negative feelings. Acknowledging these thoughts is pivotal in understanding how they influence emotions and behaviors.

The final component, Turn-around Thoughts, encourages individuals to challenge and reframe their Automatic Problematic Thoughts. This involves shifting from negative or unhelpful thinking patterns to more balanced and constructive thoughts, helping to mitigate the impact of the initial negative emotion.

By utilizing this acronym, individuals can develop a clearer understanding of their emotional and cognitive processes, leading to better emotional management and improved overall mental well-being. This approach is based on the premise that recognizing and altering thoughts in response to emotions can facilitate behavior change, which is a core principle in behavior change disciplines.