I think it goes beyond "negative thinking." I like the term "cognitive distortion" because it accurately conveys the idea that it isn't about NEGATIVITY. It's about having an organic brain.
Look -- if you tried to figure out how far three feet is with a ruler, you'd have no trouble. If you tried to figure out how far three feet is without a ruler - it's impossible. That's not because you aren't being POSITIVE enough -- it's because you can't. Your subjective, organic brain just isn't wired up to be able to do that.
There isn't ONE thing on that list of cognitive distortions that I don't do at least once a month -- and I KNOW that list. I've memorized that list. I still DO them. Why? Because my brain is made out of meat... just like yours.
What I do have on my side is that I have memorized that list. When I identify a cognitive distortion - I challenge it. When you start to do that - you wind up getting less of them -- which is certainly good enough, but in the long term you're more equipped to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
That list of cognitive distortions is your yard stick that you can use to double-check the way you think.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-03-15 03:48 am (UTC)I think it goes beyond "negative thinking." I like the term "cognitive distortion" because it accurately conveys the idea that it isn't about NEGATIVITY. It's about having an organic brain.
Look -- if you tried to figure out how far three feet is with a ruler, you'd have no trouble. If you tried to figure out how far three feet is without a ruler - it's impossible. That's not because you aren't being POSITIVE enough -- it's because you can't. Your subjective, organic brain just isn't wired up to be able to do that.
There isn't ONE thing on that list of cognitive distortions that I don't do at least once a month -- and I KNOW that list. I've memorized that list. I still DO them. Why? Because my brain is made out of meat... just like yours.
What I do have on my side is that I have memorized that list. When I identify a cognitive distortion - I challenge it. When you start to do that - you wind up getting less of them -- which is certainly good enough, but in the long term you're more equipped to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
That list of cognitive distortions is your yard stick that you can use to double-check the way you think.
Yeah. I like it.