Although our bodies look like animals, we are also able to think. -Epictetus

Epictetus declared two thousand years back that what separates humans from other living creatures is their ability to think, perceive, and interpret their thoughts. This statement is undisputed. Humans are always dancing with ideas in our minds, voluntarily-involuntarily, consciously, or unconsciously. Our thoughts are what help us survive. They allow us to set goals, differentiate between good and bad, make inquiries, inferences, and use our endless supply of ideas to elevate ourselves to higher levels.

But, our thoughts can get us into trouble. It causes us to fall into the waterfall we see and drowns us. Is this what you feel before taking a vital exam? What thoughts do you have before meeting someone important? What are your thoughts after having a discussion with a friend or colleague? What thoughts do we have when we are unable to express ourselves fully? These are just some of the many situations we experience, which can sometimes make it difficult to express ourselves fully.

As humans, we can fall into the thought traps our minds create for us in such situations. It is also known as thought traps. These thoughts are accepted as truth by us without questioning the circumstances or situation. They distort reality. These powerful traps are so strong that we don’t even feel they are traps. These thoughts may seem very rational to us at first but they can cause us to feel uneasy, stop us from seeing the situation objectively and keep us from engaging in rational behavior.

Please share this with me These are the top five most common thoughts traps.. However, I remind you that it is common for us all to fall into these thoughts traps. Sometimes, we fall into these thought traps. Thoughts can wander involuntarily through our minds. The It is important to notice how often we fall These thoughts traps have a negative impact on our emotions and behavior.

Thought Traps

1. Mind Reading

Sometimes, we believe we understand the thoughts of another person and we can predict their reactions. We believe that we know what the other person thinks and that they understand our thoughts. Sometimes, we believe we understand what is happening in our heads. avoid expressing ourselves. You can see examples of this thought trap below to better understand.

• “I don’t have to ask.” I know what your intentions are.”
• “She won’t understand my pain.”
• “Gamze did not respond to my greetings today. He must not like me anymore. He must be mad at me.

2. Personalization (‘I’ Trap)

This thought trap is when we think we are the only ones responsible for everything. This is where the problem lies with the individual. Individuals see themselves as the ones responsible for everything. It is difficult to observe objectively. Event for which the individual considers himself to be responsible.

• “She didn’t attend the party because she was here.”
• “She got a poor grade on the exam because she’s a bad mom.”
• “I have bad luck. The weather changes every time I go on a walk.”

3. The ‘Others Trap

Sometimes, it seems that other people are the cause of the whole thing. This thought trap makes it seem like the victim is not only the other person, but also the entire world. We are guilty of those who are seen to be responsible for the events.

• “Of course my wife had to come to collect me from work. He was the reason I got wet in rain.
• “My low score on the test must be due to my teacher being depressed right now.”

4. Catastrophe

There was a time in your life when you thought about an adverse event and kept repeating it. Keep that in mind. Do you remember? Ever made You have made the problem so large that you are unable to see how it can be managed. We fall into the “thought trap” when we are unable to manage the problem effectively. The person falls into this thought trap when they see the future negatively, but don’t consider the possible consequences.

• “I couldn’t finish the presentation that was due tomorrow. This is unacceptable. Even if it is, it isn’t enough. So, I’m unable to make a presentation at my job. If my boss learns, he will fire you.
• “My boyfriend said that he wanted to talk with me about our relationship. He’s my only love. I can’t leave. This will be my end. I die in solitude. “No one will ever enter my life again.”

5. Overgeneralization

Take a single example and make it a generalization. Whole life It is one of many traps that we all fall into. Never, nothing, always, always, etc. This thought often contains patterns. trap.

• “I invited my friend, but he refused to come. I don’t want anyone to spend time with my anyway.”
• “Due to the epidemic, I have been staying at home for 2 weeks. I will never again be able to leave my house.”
• “After the end of my last relationship, I realized that men are not to be trusted.”
• “I got an F in Chemistry, I will never graduate college.”

These things aren’t new to you, I’m sure. It is possible to realize that these are the thoughts you have been avoiding. Recognizing your limitations is important and moving forward is possible. Step necessary. Keep a notepad or diary in case you are struggling with compelling or suffocating thoughts.

We often use the sessions to work through the thought traps. I’d like to share with you a few strategies that can help us deal with these thoughts. You can use these strategies at home to cope with the isolation. period.

Strategies to Cope with Thought Traps

1. Evidence Search

A great way to decrease the risk of developing cancer is by reducing your exposure. Power of a negative thought To be aware of situations that contradict it. This practice involves the individual finding reviews that prove that the belief he holds is false. Although it can be difficult to find evidence that contradicts the belief we hold, this will become easier as you continue to try. This is a sample pattern that you can use for any thought.

“My thinking is not true because …..….”

• “The idea that I am alone is false because my parents are still alive and support me.”
• “I don’t think I can finish school. I passed all the classes, even though I had difficulty in previous lessons.”
• “My notion that I can’t make anything is false, because I made a first-time cake the other night and everyone thought it was amazing.”

2. Framing

The application is for a reshaping. Negative thoughtIt makes the situation more optimistic and realistic. You can call it focusing on a specific part of the whole glass. These sentences are examples of how you can adapt them to your own thoughts.

“I will feel better if I look at this as ………….”

“It would be more helpful for me to interpret this issue…………”

• “It will be easier to look at the reason that I failed the exam as an opportunity for a better grade than failure.
• “I take being unable leave the house due the epidemic as an opportunity that I can take time for myself, something I have always wanted to, which will help to get through the process more easily.”

3. Planning

This application helps the individual prepare for any situations that he is concerned about. Note the specific reactions to situations that are planned and documented. So, you know exactly what to do in certain situations. person encounters He will use the predetermined response to the problem without falling for thought traps like Catastrophe. This application can also be used in the following manner.

“If ……….. happens, I will …………”

• “If I’m concerned about the exam not solving it, I’ll take a deep inhale and sip on water.”
• “If my boyfriend is angry in an argument, I will tell them to calm down for one minute and not talk.”