And now we'll go down the tree and see the trunk.
It symbolizes "intermediate beliefs".
Intermediate beliefs are often also called "rules" because they represent the internal filters we have formed to view the world.
Here are some examples of intermediate beliefs:
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Such beliefs often take the form of a condition. If it's easier for you to formulate them this way, you can use the word "if".
Now let's look at the relationship between intermediate beliefs and automatic thoughts.
Automatic thought: She didn't reply to my message, which means I did something wrong.
Intermediate belief: If I always please others, then I will be loved.
Automatic thought: I feel bad, but if I go to the doctor, I will look weak.
Intermediate belief: I need to be strong, otherwise, I will lose all respect from people and they will stop loving me.
Automatic thought: I was late to an important meeting, now everyone will see that I'm a failure.
Intermediate belief: If I make a mistake, it means I'm a complete failure.
As you can see, there is a direct link between automatic thoughts and the rules we set for ourselves (intermediate beliefs).
Most beliefs are acquired in childhood when our psyche is just forming.
Many parents say the following stereotypical phrases:
And so, a man with the belief "Men don't cry" cannot express his own feelings; accumulated internal experiences are transformed into aggression or become the cause of depression.
And the belief about food is a perfect basis for the development of eating disorders.
We need to be very careful about what we instill in our children, otherwise, in adulthood, they may have to see a psychotherapist to correct destructive beliefs.
Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your destiny.
Mahatma Gandhi
In therapy, it is very important to recognize your intermediate beliefs and then evaluate whether they are destructive for you.
We will return to the issue of working with intermediate beliefs more than once, but in the next chapter, we will go down to the most basic level of our beliefs.
