Do you find yourself having irrational thoughts?
Irrational thoughts are unrealistic thinking patterns.
They can be annoying, discouraging, and in some cases downright dangerous.
Another term for irrational thinking in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is cognitive distortions. According to research, you are more likely to produce irrational thoughts when under emotional distress.
So what exactly are irrational thoughts?
- Messages we send to ourselves that keep us from growing
- Thoughts we have in our head about how we think life "should" be for us or for others
- Negative and stereotypical ways of solving problems
- Self-defeating thoughts and ways of acting
We fall victim to irrational thoughts every now and then, it's part of being human. But this is most particularly true when we are feeling vulnerable.
Although many people understand and realize that their thoughts are irrational, it can take some time and effort for others to free themselves from these unhelpful thoughts.
To do this, you can try to ask yourself some questions regarding your thoughts.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- What is the likelihood of the thought becoming true? If the chances are very slim, it's irrational
- If there is a possibility that the thought is true, what's the worst that can happen?
- Are you focusing too much on the negatives rather than realizing the possible positive outcomes of not holding onto the thoughts?
- What is the likelihood that these thoughts are just scenarios made up in my mind?
We share free resources on tips for dealing with stress, anxiety, irrational thoughts in our blog. Additionally, we share tips and tools to help you maintain your mental health.
