Contesting warped thinking

Question 1

Being a reporter

Answer 1

Describing the upsetting event back to yourself as if you are a news reporter. Distinguishing observations from interpretations – We often misinterpret others, and one way to circumnavigate this is to state the facts.

Question 2

Increase positive self-interpretations

Answer 2

When you have a negative thought about yourself, replace it with some good qualities.

Question 3

Surveying the scene

Answer 3

When you have an event happen that causes a current of warped thinking and very strong negative emotions, seek some objective perspectives. Describe the event and how you felt to others, and ask them how they would feel and what their thoughts are.

Question 4

Experiment

Answer 4

When you have a warped thought, experiment doing something that would either prove or disprove it. Act in complete contradiction to your feelings. If you say you can’t go, then you need to prove to yourself that your feeling that you can’t go is inaccurate and that you can go.

Question 5

Being your own coach

Answer 5

A lot of sports psychology recommends elite athletes engage in positive self-talk before and after a competition or training session. The idea is the same: say

Question 6

Mental biofeedback

Answer 6

Keeping a tally of how many times a day you have a negative thought or feeling.

Question 7

Straight Self Talk

Answer 7

Asking yourself contesting questions about the thought, such as “Do I have any evidence that proves this is true?”