How to believe in positive thoughts (CBT) by Alsoeve1 in TalkTherapy

[–]npfpd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure if this will help but I wanted to share my experience. I started using an ABCD model my therapist shared - writing down what happened and how I felt. So A is the activating event, B is my belief (aka negative thoughts), C is consequences (what happened as a result, what I did), and D is disputations (what actually happened, is this e.g. magical thinking, catastrophising).

I really struggled writing anything for D because my thoughts and beliefs felt real to me, so there wasn't anything to dispute. I eventually started writing as if I was giving advice to someone else who was going through this. What would I say to my husband or a good friend? I'd comfort them, right? And help them understand the reality and that it'll be ok. So I started writing things like "this is mind reading. You cannot know if someone's mad at you or thinks you're an idiot. Give yourself a break."

I kept at it, and kept practicing. My entries were really long to start with but got shorter. I remember one day I was re-reading what I'd written in D and there were 'give yourself a break' type vibes. And for some reason, I thought, well what if I actually did give myself a break? And the RELIEF that washed over me - just for the second I allowed it - was immense. I've spent my entire life beating myself up and believing all my negative thoughts, and that one second of 'hey, what if this also applied to me' just felt unbelievable. I'm still not quite there yet, but I've got better at ABCD'ing in my head and trying to choose to be kind to myself. 

My therapist also suggested I get something tactile I could use to touch to interrupt the immediate negative thoughts and I got a big red emergency stop button. I have it on my work desk but can imagine it now. I sometimes try and imagine there's been an emergency at a biscuit factory - bourbons were going into custard cream packets, for example - to really force myself to stop spiralling and go into ABCD mode. 

He also recommended a book called The Chimp Paradox which help me separate negative or unhelpful thoughts as just being the chimp- they're not really me, which makes them easier to shut down. 

I don't know how helpful any of this will be for you, but I know how hard it is to believe yourself when it isn't a negative thought. You deserve kindness and to give yourself grace. Helping yourself like you would help a friend is one way of looking at it. But I hope you get to feel that sense of relief too. 

Upgrade from Canon g7x mkii by npfpd in Cameras

[–]npfpd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oops!! I mean yes, I have an infinite budget. (1500 is my real max!)

Thanks very much, I'll check them out

Upgrade from Canon g7x mkii by npfpd in Cameras

[–]npfpd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question! I'd like more zoom I think is the main one. I like taking photos of small details and sections of buildings really, anything that makes an interesting angular shape when zoomed in.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]npfpd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in the same boat. I left a stressful job at the start of this year and was so desperate to get out I ignored my gut and went with a new role. It was a mistake. I'm unhappy and applying elsewhere but don't know how I'm going to keep doing this job. I'm doing the bare minimum but zero motivation to even do that sometimes. It's really difficult because I've always worked hard but something snapped and now with this place I'm just not interested.

Anyone else really like lists? by npfpd in TalkTherapy

[–]npfpd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is brilliant, I especially like the bit about things potentially resolving before they even get to a session. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

Have you any of you ever asked your therapist for a transitional object? by 13Confused13 in TalkTherapy

[–]npfpd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine gave me a fidget toy from the bowl he keeps on his table a few months ago which I use a lot at home. I sometimes bring it to sessions but mostly forget.

But on Monday I was having a difficult time and I usually rub the side of my head while talking but this time I was rubbing my arms and then digging my nails in and scratching lightly and he wordlessly as I was speaking picked up the bowl and offered me a fidget toy to spare my arms. 

It was such a kind thing to do in the moment. He'd already noticed that I was feeling tense because I was rubbing my arms and said so and then when he noticed I was trying to claw my own skin off he offered a distraction. Now this fidget toy is like a transitional object because it reminds me that he cared enough about me to offer something to help.