Cognitive Distortions
My therapist has assigned me an exercise. I have to read a breakdown on cognitive distortions that she provided me, and consider them, mull them over, see what thoughts they bring up for me. I, however, must not try to SOLVE, RESOLVE, RESEARCH, HEAL, and most importantly, I must not engage in negative self-talk or cognitions as a result of what comes up for me. Hmm, this is a fairly new therapeutic relationship but she's wasting no time digging into the childhood trauma crates. Asking me not to research and attempt to MacGyver a data and feelings based solution is quite easy for you to say, Madam! Types of Cognitive Distortions (Source: Therapist Aid LLC 2012) Magnification and Minimization Mind Reading Catastrophizing Fortune Telling Overgeneralization Emotional Reading Magical Thinking Disqualifying the Positive Personalization "Should" Statements Jumping to Conclusions All-or-Nothing Thinking Umm, this handout needs to mind its business. I don't know you like that.
So yeah, it could've just called me by my name. I am guilty of each and every one of those distortions. They're a way of life over here. How else would I function? Those bitches roll with me all day, every day. They have always kept me protected. They were all I had and they worked a lot of the time. Cognitive distortions outchea like... "Uh, uh... not her! Not today!"
But I also know they have fueled my fears. They've made me distrustful, anxious, and scared of real joy. They have held me back from experiencing all of my real passions and desires. They are always whispering... "You're not enough. You'll never be enough." Ah, there I go thinking again... That's enough of that for today.
