The last cognitive distortion we will examine in detail is termed 'Mind Reading.'
It is a thinking error where we are convinced that we know what another person is thinking about us, often assuming something negative.
Overreliance on mind reading can lead us to misconstrue what others think about us, potentially souring our mood.
This can lead to anxiety, various fears, and sometimes even paranoia, potentially causing conflicts, resentments, arguments, and, of course, depression.
We cannot change the situations life presents to us, but we can change how we experience them.
Viktor Frankl
Examples:
More content in our app
You're only seeing a portion of the content. In the app, you'll find numerous interactive articles. Additionally, there are psychological tests to track your mood dynamics, a daily planner, an automatic thought journal, and much more!
Certainly, in all these examples, there's some chance that people might think just that, be discontented, or regard you as weak.
But this likelihood is much lower than it seems. While we can read others' facial expressions and gestures, it doesn't mean that someone who glanced at us askew necessarily had a negative thought about us.
We accept our thoughts as truth and act on them, rather than considering the likelihood of other possibilities.
Here are some methods to work with 'mind reading':
Begin to notice such thoughts and ask yourself: 'Can I truly read other people's minds?'
Obviously, you can't. To assure yourself, you can also conduct a series of experiments. Write down what you think people are thinking about you, then check it.
Methods of verification can include direct conversation with the person or observing their actions towards you.
We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.
Anaïs Nin
Ask yourself: 'What evidence do I have to support these thoughts? And what evidence contradicts them?'
This technique helps you formalize and weigh your assumptions.
We usually do not reason very rationally, but when we make a 'for' and 'against' comparison, we are forced to engage more in critical thinking.
Ask yourself: 'What else might this person have thought?'
For those ready to go further, open and honest dialogue can help resolve many misunderstandings.
Instead of tormenting yourself with assumptions, it's better to ask the person directly.
Do not think that cognitive errors are a sign of serious mental pathology.
They are present in each of us to some extent.
What matters is how often they occur and what we do with them: either we believe these distorted thoughts completely and experience negative emotions, or we subject them to doubt and analysis, leading to a more accurate and multifaceted view of the situation.
Working on cognitive distortions may require time and effort, but it can significantly improve your emotional well-being and relationships with others.
