ACT suggests that many psychological problems are caused or aggravated by overreacting and dwelling on unpleasant thoughts and feelings.  These unpleasant thoughts and feelings take control of everyday life.  They prevent people from being able to take part in and enjoy the experiences in their life at the time those experiences are happening because they are dwelling on their past unpleasant thoughts and feelings. The natural instinct people have is to do everything they can to control the negative thoughts and feelings.  This may include avoiding people and situations which remind them of the thoughts and feelings they want to avoid.  In addition, ACT also suggests that people are likely to provide themselves with reasons which justify their attempts to control their behaviour in order to avoid the painful thoughts and feelings.  For instance, people tell themselves that if they avoid a particular person or situation they are less likely to experience the negative thoughts and feelings.  In turn, this creates a vicious cycle where people prevent themselves enjoying the positive experiences in their life in order to avoid the negative thoughts and feelings.  The very steps they are taking to control their thoughts and feelings are preventing them enjoying and taking part in the positive experiences life has to offer them.

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ACT proposes that the reason people struggle to cope with the unwanted thoughts and feelings in the first place is because there is a false belief that for the most part people should not be suffering from any psychologically problems.[3]  ACT suggests that due to the sheer number of people who suffer from psychological problems it is far more reasonable to assume that having a psychological problem at some point in your life is a normal part of life.[4]  Starting from this assumption ACT proposes that a far more healthy solution is to recognise that unwanted thoughts, feelings and sensations are a normal part of life and attempts to control or get rid of these thoughts and feelings prevents people from taking part in the positive parts of their life when they are happening.  ACT suggests that people should accept that having these thoughts and feelings are largely out of their control.  Rather than trying to control their unwanted thoughts and feelings people should adopt strategies and techniques that allow these feelings to naturally pass, whilst also being committed to taking whatever steps are required to have a valued and meaningful life.