Rodney Robbins Doesn't Think Straight

Thinking errors. While they can lead you into trouble, they are also classic symptoms of depression, low blood sugar, hormone problems and fatigue. We feel bad, our brains try to create a rational explanation, and we end up with delusional thinking that makes a bad situation even worse.

Rodney Robbins Thinking Errors

My two most common thinking errors are called Filtering and Discounting the Positive. Dr. David Burns explains these errors very well in his classic book, "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy."

Filtering means combing through your experiences and focusing exclusively on the BAD things that happen to you. When my potassium drops, sometimes I'll dig up bad things I did waaaay back in middle school. My mind replays these events and tells me, "See? You suck! You've always sucked? What a frackin' jerk you are!" Is it rational to worry about events from 20 years ago? Things that were not nice to do but that were typical of lots of nasty little middle schoolers? My rational mind says no, but when I already feel bad, my depressed mind says, yes.

I'm also prone to Discounting the Positive. In the real world, I may have had two weeks of productive work, but when I have two "nearly worthless" days of weakness, suddenly all those good times don't matter any more. My mind says, "Yeah right. Two weeks of being barely normal. Oooo, that's impressive!" In those 2 days, I may have actually done a fair amount of work (in between resting and resting some more), but suddenly that doesn't count. Neither do the weeks of productive time. Is that rational? No. Does it feel rational when it's happening? Yes. 

Fight Back Against Thinking Errors

The first step is to notice the fatigue, illness, flatness or depression. Then be aware that thinking errors are lurking near by. When you notice them, test them against reality. Talk back to them. Make those thoughts earn their keep. Ask yourself if you might really just need a bit of patience, a few extra hours of sleep or a good meal. Consider you may have missed a dose or your medication, or that you need a bit extra today. Don't roll over and let these errors steam roll your life. Fight back!

Got a story about talking back to your thinking errors? Use the "Comments" link below and tell us about it.