Cognitive distortions. Hm. That implies a sense of “incorrectness.”
“Incorrectedness?” “Not Correct, Ed Ness?”
Either way, it makes me feel like typing, which I have not done in some time.
I understand the premise, and I often find myself irritated by others doing exactly this, usually without realizing it. Of course, I tend to see myself as largely above such behavior.
But what might be called a distortion feels less like an error and more like hyperfocusing on a single detail, a kind of intentional narrowing that allows me to remain unconcerned with the progression of, or possibilities within, whatever it is I’m supposedly “distorting.”
Whether that’s a flaw or a feature probably depends on the moment.
For me, it's more of a way to handle something large in smaller, manageable pieces so that my inner angermonkey doesn't claw it's way out and do something for which I will have to atone.
I suppose the difference is that I choose to narrow, and I think what you are saying is that when we do this without being aware of it, the problems come calling?
Yes Ryan :) that’s the distinction I’m trying to point to. Narrowing can be deliberate and useful. The difficulty tends to arise when it happens automatically and without awareness.
A list of cognitive distortions is probably one of the more valuable things I got from an old therapist. We could have spent all our time just on them.
That makes a lot of sense, Mat :) Being able to identify these patterns can be surprisingly grounding. Once they’re visible, we're can stop taking them so literally.
Ah, yes, I'm quite familiar with this one. As a CBT patient I went through a whole list of these "thinking errors" years ago and all-or-nothing was definitely one of the loudest for me. Totally agree that staying present and mindful, not letting the thought spill out to include all of time and space, is very effective. ✨
Seems to be a first-day-of-therapy lesson! So hard to get rid of old habits. It’s easier to believe: “Everyone hates me!” 😂😂😂
Yes Ann :) That’s why going back to the basics is so useful. These habits are hard to shake, especially when things feel a bit harder.
Cognitive distortions. Hm. That implies a sense of “incorrectness.”
“Incorrectedness?” “Not Correct, Ed Ness?”
Either way, it makes me feel like typing, which I have not done in some time.
I understand the premise, and I often find myself irritated by others doing exactly this, usually without realizing it. Of course, I tend to see myself as largely above such behavior.
But what might be called a distortion feels less like an error and more like hyperfocusing on a single detail, a kind of intentional narrowing that allows me to remain unconcerned with the progression of, or possibilities within, whatever it is I’m supposedly “distorting.”
Whether that’s a flaw or a feature probably depends on the moment.
For me, it's more of a way to handle something large in smaller, manageable pieces so that my inner angermonkey doesn't claw it's way out and do something for which I will have to atone.
I suppose the difference is that I choose to narrow, and I think what you are saying is that when we do this without being aware of it, the problems come calling?
Yes Ryan :) that’s the distinction I’m trying to point to. Narrowing can be deliberate and useful. The difficulty tends to arise when it happens automatically and without awareness.
This is a great post Dom; concise and straight to the point!
Thank you, Malick. I appreciate you taking the time to say that. Being to the point was exactly the idea :)
A list of cognitive distortions is probably one of the more valuable things I got from an old therapist. We could have spent all our time just on them.
That makes a lot of sense, Mat :) Being able to identify these patterns can be surprisingly grounding. Once they’re visible, we're can stop taking them so literally.
Ah, yes, I'm quite familiar with this one. As a CBT patient I went through a whole list of these "thinking errors" years ago and all-or-nothing was definitely one of the loudest for me. Totally agree that staying present and mindful, not letting the thought spill out to include all of time and space, is very effective. ✨
Joshua, exactly! Once a thought stops being allowed to speak for everything, it changes its role. It becomes information rather than a verdict :)