Depression and Negative Thinking
By editor | May 23, 2007
Negative thinking dominates when a person experiences depression. The depressed person can experience negative thoughts as being beyond their control, that can then become automatic and self-perpetuating.
Negative thinking can be categorized into a number of common patterns called “cognitive distortions.” The cognitive therapist provides techniques to give the client a greater degree of control over negative thinking by correcting these distortions or correcting thinking errors that abet the distortions, in a process called cognitive restructuring.
Negative thoughts in depression are generally about one or more of three areas: negative view of self, negative view of the world and negative view of the future. These constitute what Beck called the “cognitive triad.”
Correcting cognitive distortions is a requirement for recovery. The depressed are given to negative thought patterns that not only send them down the path to depression but keep them mired in the bog of despair.
Drawing negative conclusions about themselves, engaging in all-or-nothing or black-and-white thinking, focusing on problems rather than solutions, generalizing catastrophic outcomes from one specific bad event - all are manifestations of the depressed state of mind. It is necessary and possible for the depressed to change the quality of their thinking in order to change their mood.
But the hardest domain in which to do that is the interpersonal sphere. While depressed people need to shape up their distorted thinking, there is an interpersonal reality that they also must come to terms with. A common cognitive distortion that sustains depression is “people don’t like me.” But the fact is, there is a lot about depressed behavior that is aversive to other people-things they do and things that they don’t do that are genuinely off-putting. It is a terrible struggle to sort out the distinctions - yet necessary, as supportive relationships with others are critical for recovery.
Among the behaviors typical of depression that commonly alienate others and elicit overt or subtle rejection:
- Absence of expression, including limited facial expressiveness, lack of gesturing and nodding, minimal eye contact, in combination with slow speech, many pauses, slow responses.
- Self-preoccupation and limited interested in the other person
- Lack of reciprocity
- Tendency to focus on negative content
- Seeking of negative feedback congruent with their self-image or
- Excessive reassurance-seeking
- Anger and hostility.
How can a depressed person help him or herself ?
By definition, depressive disorders include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, and the negative thinking that is associated with depression can make it very difficult for someone to take the steps he or she needs to heal. Depressed people can help themselves in many ways, but the road to recovery is much easier if they have the support and understanding of their family and friends, as well as the assistance of a mental health professional.
Becoming aware of the behaviors that alienate others is a precondition for controlling them. That is likely to make interactions more rewarding and supportive
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