Correcting Irrational Thoughts

I believe that irrational thinking is the major contributor to my depression which has lasted so long. I have seen how difficult it can be to change this, it almost seems impossible at first as the thoughts come so quickly and powerfully. This can be changed though....I have been using the analogy of putting my hand on a burning stove......the burning stove returns incredible pain due to me touching it......My irrational thoughts are the vehicle to my depression or terrible pain. I have tried to constanlty observe my thinking, detach from my thoughts and be the observer. As i catch irrational thinking i associate it with incredible pain or depression and realize that if i continue that pain will arrive. Associating irrational thoughts with severe Pain is a good way to learn how to think accurately and remain pain free. None of us would voluntarily go touch a burning stove. Basically the pain or depression or anxiety is telling us we are doing something wrong, or thinking wrong as burnt skin would tell us after touching fire. Hopefully after some time observing thought and catching and correcting thoughts this becomes the new way of thinking and we become mentally clear and healthy. I m trying to think the opposite as i have for so long and approach myself from the opposite perspective i have for so long and realize what i thought so important in life is actually so trivial or meaningless almost. without unnecessary expectations, false images of self and irrational thinking i believe mental health can be achieved.....i've been ok for a few days now but i want more than ok, i want peace, clarity and health from within....the journey continues....

I like what you are saying in your post Jonathan. I am attempting to use the same thing only I am constantly bombarded with either negative and fearful thoughts. Early this summer I tried to turn aroud my entire belief system. I had to change quite a bit. But it was good for me. I realized that I was manufacturing enough fear of doing something with or talking with anyone. And I carry that struggle here in these forums.

But, I was so miserable that I had to try something. I'm not...I know this will sound negatuve....but truthfully I am just not as intelligent as some people here at this site. Still I continue to post.

Slowly, over the summer, my thoughts of fear have decreased. My negative thinking I catch real quick. I may not be the smartest of people but I am certainly not stupid by any stretch of the imagination.

I don't know if this fits in with your post . I just thought I would put my two cents in

Sweetngentle

what are u scared of? i was scared of being myself, that i t wouldnt be good enough, that i was less than.....this was terrifying to me yet incredibly unrealistic for one and when broken down irrelevant. not good enough to who? based on what? who determines whats ok and not? and why? its all a dance in my head. what are your underlying fears? do u fear being judged or perceived? are u scared others are better or will look down on u? do u realize that evn if every single person in the world thought u were worthless (100% irrational statement) that it wouldnt kill u and u could go within have peace and a wonderful existance doing whatever it is u enjoy....basically thats just an exagerated worst case scenario showing that happyness is possible regardless of situation......why do u say u arent intelligent? u write posts perfectly normal and clear and with good words and so forth.....i would think your posts come from an intelligent, aware person quite honestly.....whats behing all your fear? is it an inaccurate view of yourself stemming from irrational beliefs?

I was raised in an abusive home where nothing was ever good enough. At times I had to stay home from from school my face was so swollen.....you can hide a few bruises but not a swollen face.

What happened to me? I ended up being anorectic. All the young years of my life I was being forced to take amphetamines and diuretics. And I developed DID. But the underlying fear was that I wasn't pleasing to anyone. I desparately wanted someone's approval. Hence, I turned into what I call a "people pleaser".

I had this delusion that everyone in the world was angry at me. I couldn't measure up to anyones standards. So I just tried more and more until the fear eventually engulfed me.

I'm afraid mostly of people. It could be the bank teller to the person driving in the car in back of me. Once I saw what I was allowing to happen to me I could then start to change some of my belief systems and paradigms.

I think that if I stay on the right course I should vastly improve over a period of time. I hope all these words make some sort of sense.

Sweetngentle

Thank you for your post jonathan.

I posted earlier in another forum asking for ideas for changing negative thinking and thus irrational thoughts and I found your post very helpful. It came at the right time (eventhough you weren't really responding to me )

Associating irrational thoughts to severe pain is a good way to look at it. It's like imagining getting electric shock treatment every time you catch yourself thinking negatively. Then again, I have never been shocked electrically so a burning stove would seem more accurate. I hope it works for me because I too, have fears that I know would be considered irrational that keep me depressed and too hesitant to move forward. My irrational thoughts and negative thinking keep me in my comfort zone, and I am tired of it.

I want to believe what you say:

without unnecessary expectations, false images of self and irrational thinking i believe mental health can be achieved.....i've been ok for a few days now but i want more than ok, i want peace, clarity and health from within....

I've been in a pretty decent amount of therapy for Major Depressive Disorder, and if there's one tool that's helped me realized and/or help lessen my irrational thoughts it's the thought recording.

get a piece of paper, make three columns. first column, label "situation". name the situation that you're in, the who what when where why. all facts, NO opinions. in the second column, list the first thoughts you experienced while being in these situations. concentrate on YOU and your thoughts. in the third, identify your feelings that have immerged from each of the thoughts (sad, angry, confused). put your writing utensil down and admire your work. from here it's easier to realize where your thought process is going haywire and triggering more depression.

I have the same problem: my negative/irrational thoughts cause depresion. But i dont know how to make them go away. I am still not good at it....