The Negative Animus – the inner Critical Voice

The constellation of the negative animus manifests in various ways, affecting both men and women alike. However, in men, its destructive force can be even more pronounced, as evidenced by disproportionately high rates of male suicide. In the United States, for instance, males accounted for nearly 80% of all suicides in 2022, with a rate approximately four times higher than that of females. ​

This alarming statistic reflects the profound impact of the negative animus, often experienced as an unrelenting inner voice that undermines self-worth. Many male clients describe this internal critic with statements such as: “You are a failure,” “Everyone would be better off without you,” “You are not a real man,” or “You are nothing – a mere zero.” These thoughts are not fleeting insecurities but deeply ingrained convictions that can lead to devastating outcomes.​

Patriarchal societal norms further exacerbate this issue by enforcing rigid expectations that leave no room for perceived weakness, thereby intensifying the negative animus’s grip on the male psyche. This inner prosecutor relentlessly overwhelms men, condemning any sign of vulnerability and driving individuals toward self-destruction.