Cognitive Therapy for Dummies: Part Two


When it comes to understanding something new or complicated, I get a little confused, kind of like this baby. But if someone gives me an example, it helps.

 But before I give you an example of cognitive therapy, we need to agree on something: 

 DEPRESSION IS AN ILLNESS OF LIES

 Most of the thoughts we have when we are depressed, are not true. Oh I know, they seem like they are true, but they are not. Do you agree with me? Because if you do then you will find this kind of therapy useful.

Usually these lies reinforce our negative thinking, those thoughts that say 'you are such a loser' or 'you can never do anything right' or 'you are a just a failure'.

 I found a really good description of all of the kinds of ways we think when we are sick or thinking irrationally, on Psych Central. If you are interested in learning more about cognitive therapy, then visit that site.

 Okay, here is an example.

 Wrong thought: "I am such a loser".

 Right thought: "No Wendy you are not. You have two grown daughters who have turned out well and they are still talking to you, why they even like you! You have sustained two successful careers. You have people who love you and look up to you."

 Wrong thought: "I am not even useful anymore."

 Right thought: "that is simply not true. Yes, you don't do as many things as you used to, but you are still useful. You cook and take care of your own home. You are able to sympathize and listen to friends when they are struggling. You still have a lot of love to give."

 Do you get the idea? This is too big a topic to discuss in just a few posts like this. But I wanted to mention it for those of you that haven't heard much about it before. 

 Unless you can fully admit and recognize that the thoughts we have when we are depressed, are lies, then you can't begin to refute those lies.

 Next time we will chat about how to refute the lies.

 WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you aware that your depressive thoughts are usually lies. Would you like to talk back to those lies?

 Don't give up! There is hope for depression.




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