The Importance of Evaluating Your Thoughts in Overcoming Depression
Our thoughts have a significant impact on our emotions.
The more strongly we believe a thought, the more intense the emotion it elicits. However, it's important to remember that just because we believe something to be true, it doesn't necessarily mean it is. This is especially true in the case of depression, where we may hold negative thoughts about ourselves, the world, and the future.
To begin changing our beliefs, we need to evaluate our thoughts. One way to do this is to consider the evidence for and against a particular thought. Let's take a look at an example:
Bethany has the thought, "My friend Sarah doesn't want to hear from me." She rates her belief in this thought at 70% and her emotion of sadness at 70%.
First, we can consider the evidence that supports this thought:
It's been at least three weeks since I last talked to Sarah.
The last time we were together, I wasn't much fun.
Next, we can look at the evidence against this thought:
We used to be good friends.
When I cancelled plans with her last time, she seemed disappointed.
She said "I'm sorry you're not feeling well, and I hope you get better soon."
After evaluating the evidence, Bethany realizes that her thought isn't as true as she originally believed. She adjusts her belief in the thought to 40% and her emotion of sadness to 40%.
If, however, Bethany's thought turns out to be 100% true, we can use problem-solving techniques to address the situation. This might involve helping Bethany build new friendships or finding ways to repair the relationship with Sarah.
At Real Solutions Therapeutic Services, we understand the importance of evaluating and challenging thoughts as a key step in overcoming depression. We offer therapy that can help individuals identify and address negative thought patterns and find relief from depression. If you're interested in learning more, please don't hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.Click here to contact us for a free consultation.