It’s funny how a blog post can grab your attention, even though it apparently has nothing to do with you.
I was immediately grabbed by this one, even though I don’t have schizophrenia. It discusses delusional thoughts and suggests that a better policy, rather than trying to get rid of them, would be to make friends with them and find value in them.
I don’t have delusional thoughts. I have negative thoughts. (Doesn’t everyone?) I’m told that they’re irrational thoughts. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) says, “Get rid of those irrational thoughts. Swap them for rational thoughts.
So, while I’m talking to someone, I’m thinking, “She doesn’t really want to talk to me. She thinks I’m boring.” CBT tells me to think, “No, that’s irrational. I can’t possibly know what she’s thinking.” But I find it hard to believe the new thought, so I go on believing the old thought. It seems quite rational to me, especially as she’s rolling her eyes / looking at her watch / saying, “Excuse me, I have to….”
Maybe (just maybe, because I know CBT has helped many people), that’s the wrong approach. Maybe I should make friends with my thoughts. Maybe I do seem boring. Maybe if I talked about the things I’m afraid of mentioning, because I’m afraid of being seen as “different,” I wouldn’t seem boring. Maybe if I just came out with it, instead of worrying whether what I want to say is worth saying, I wouldn’t seem boring. Just a thought….
Miriam Drori, Author 
10 replies on “An attention-grabbing post”
I have no advice. Just wanted you to know I’m here 🙂
Thanks, Sarah 🙂
Interesting perspective in the blog post you linked to Miriam. An approach certainly worth considering I would think.
Thanks, Gill. Considering is the easy part, I think.
🙂
I suffer from these negative voices too. As Sarah said, I’m here for you as well. If you ever want to talk just hit me up.
Thanks, Mike.
I understand from a friend who is a mental health specialist that it is not uncommon for schizophrenics to be friendly with the ‘voices’ and that the ‘directions’ given by the voices is not always negative. he also compared it to people who ‘hear’ the answer to their prayers
Thanks, RHG. I just used the ideas in the article for my own purposes.
Yeah I used to have some negative thoughts too, but now I’m pretty good at catching them and replacing them with positive ones. This helps and it’s been helpful that I instantly recognize and can combat negative thoughts now. I guess it’s just something you acquire once you’ve done it enough and are aware of your thoughts. Keeping a blog and writing out your thoughts and experiences helps a lot! 🙂