What do you think about how you think?

[plantgirl]

Here's an interesting article from Scientific American. Rethink Your Thoughts about Thinking: Targeting metacognition -our beliefs about thoughts- might alleviate mood disorders and even schizophreniaHow you frame any given situation in your mind has a huge effect on how you feel about it. New research is showing that how you think about your

Comments

[ellettra]

That's interesting. I do believe in the power of thought, but I think it's probably a herculean task to change how you think about what you think - when you're depressed. And I am not sure how I feel about the notion of alleviating symptoms of psychosis... from what I know, schizophrenia is a pretty biggish deal that requires more than cognitive therapy to combat...

[plantgirl]

I think changing how you think about what you think is one of those things that is simple, but not easy, if that difference makes sense. Instead of beating myself up for worrying, for example, I can accept that I tend to worry. That frees up energy for other things.

As for psychosis, they're not saying altering metacognition can make it go away (which I would also find very dubious), just that for a small group of people it reduced symptoms. Reducing symptoms is good, and cognitive therapy has far fewer side effects than the medications used for schizotypic disorders. Seems worth further study.

[ellettra]

Agreed, entirely. I know for me that changing the way I think AND my thoughts has been a lengthy (and ongoing) task that has been SO VERY WORTH IT. Changed my life, if I can be so dramatic. Except it really did, and it felt dramatic. :)

[plantgirl]

:)

Same for me. I'm still working on it, but the areas where I have managed it have made huge improvements in the quality of my life and my relationships.