In the previous posts we explored how your negative thoughts can create anxiety, depression and the conditions to act out in addiction. There is something you can do about these pesky personal demons, you can begin to challenge your thinking!
Review the 2 Cognitive Distortion lists outlined previously.
Next, do these steps by writing them out. Better yet, share and do these steps with someone you care about as you can help catch each other distortions.
What are your top 3 Distortions?
Often the more distortions we have or the more
intense they are, the more beat up you will feel.
Step 1: Write down negative thoughts rather than let them fly around in your head (writing the down will help you really catch them and more objectively see them, so you can then more objectively challenge them).
Step 2: Read over the cognitive distortions and note which ones apply to you.
Step 3: Replace cognitive distortions with objective thoughts.
Let’s run through an example…
Step 1: Cognitive Distortion- “It’s my fault my partner is depressed”
Step 2: What fits from the list?- Personalization
Step 3: More objective thought- “I’m not in control of my partner. I’m not able to “force them” into a depression”
Challenging your automatic, distorted assumptions will change the neuro-circuitry and neuro-chemistry of your brain. Meaning, it will help you overcome
depression, anxiety, stress etc where you won’t feel hijacked by your thoughts and feel more in control of your life and better about yourself.
Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski
info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/
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