Category: Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida

Seven Common Unhealthy Patterns of Thinking

Cognitive behavior therapy is the gold standard for therapeutic practice. The thought behind cognitive behavior therapy says that the way that we think affect the way that we feel, and inversely, the way that we feel affects our decisions, choices, and behaviors.  Cognitive behavior therapy works to seek out and correct unhealthy thinking that is causing mental anguish.  While this is a fairly simplified explanation of what happens in cognitive behavior therapy, this is the gist of it.

With the help of cognitive behavior therapy, you can take mental disorders like anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorders or bipolar disorder and get real, lasting help.  You do not need to have a diagnosed disorder to need or receive help from cognitive behavior therapy.

Seven Unhealthy Thinking Patterns Cognitive Behavior Therapy Can Help

 

  1. Overgeneralization – Do you often use the word “always” or “never” when you are talking about the behaviors of someone else or an occurrence that you find happens often? This is overgeneralization.  Your boss asks you to rewrite something and you say that she always makes you redo things that you submit.  This is overgeneralization.  You tell your husband that he never changes the toilet paper roll.  This is overgeneralization.

  1. Self-Serving Bias – With the Self-Serving Bias cognitive distortion, the person in question regularly attributes good things and positive events to him or herself – saying that the fundraiser had such a great turnout because he or she was there, or that the company made more money solely because of his or her efforts – while attributing negative happenings or events to external factors. Examples of external factors can include a fender bender caused by a careless biker or a “hidden” street sign, or an event was not as profitable because other people did not pull their own weight.  Sometimes this may be true, but the person with a Self-Serving Bias will make these claims whether they are true or not.

  1. Einstein’s definition of insanity – Einstein said that insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” While this is not the true definition of insanity, it is a cognitive distortion.  One of the best examples of this is in relationship communications and the classic visage of the nagging wife.  She believes that if she nags her partner, he or she will change.  When that does not work, she nags more expecting that this will have a different result and the extra nagging will make her partner change.  Chances are, her partner is not going to change regardless of how much nagging she does.

  1. Thinking only in black and white. – The whole world is made up of shades of gray. Thinking about things in an all or nothing kind of way without seeing all of the possibilities in between is a cognitive distortion.  For example, you wrote a paper for a college class.  You get a B.  If you are a black and white thinker, you do not do any more work for that class because there is no point in working if you are not going to get an A every time.

  1. Labeling – Even more extreme than black and white thinking, labeling takes all or nothing thinking to the extreme. A person who engages in labeling will take the B on the paper, decide based on the grade that he or she is stupid and has no business being enrolled in higher education.  Labeling involves putting a label on yourself or others based on a very limited event or on insufficient information.

  1. Ignoring alternate theories – You have come up with a theory or a potential plan for how something is going to happen. But you are working in a group and other people have information that you do not have or input that needs to be heard.  If you ignore the information that could be helpful to you or you dismiss reasons other than your own for why or how something should happen or did happen, this is a cognitive distortion.

  1. Personality absorption or cognitive conformity – Often, this happens in the subconscious, but personality absorption or cognitive conformity happens when you take on the views and the thoughts of the people around you in order to fit in. Most of the time, a person does not consciously realize that this is happening, but it is a real and potentially very dangerous cognitive distortion.

Finding a Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida?

In the quest for Finding a Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida there are several things to keep in mind.  It is important for that person to be experienced, knowledgeable and sensitive to you and your individual situation.

In Finding a Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida keep in mind how many years of experience do they have?  Do they see adults only, or also kids and adolescents on a regular basis?  Are they comfortable with those specific populations?  How often does the Psychiatrist see patients with a condition similar to the one you seek help for?  All of these serve to reassure you that the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida you choose has seen, treated and hopefully helped others with your condition.

When looking for a Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida there are some things to keep in mind, regarding knowledge.  Is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida a foreign school graduate or a qualified medical school graduate from a US medical school?  Has any action been taken against that person from a state medical board?  Is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida Board Certified in one specialty or more than one specialty?  Does the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida contribute to the community such as a Fellow or even a Distinguished Fellow of a Psychiatric Society?  Does the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida stay current and up to date with modern practice methods?  Does that person exchange ideas with other peers on a regular basis?  What is there local reputation when several people in the community are asked?  This is a way to gauge whether this person is respected by his/her peers and others in the community?  These are all factors that point to a knowledgeable Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida.

Equally as important is sensitivity.  What is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida like?  This is subjective, because like with everything else psychiatrists have different personalities and you need to find someone who is a good fit with you.  Is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida friendly, personable, and easy to talk to?  Does he or she listen to you, put you at ease and answer your questions?  Are they able to explain things to you in a comfortable way you can easily understand?  Do they spend time with you so you don’t feel rushed or are they in a hurry to see the next person?  Does the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida make you feel like you are a partner in the treatment or do they tell you what you will be doing with minimal regard to your own opinions and feelings?  Is this person someone that you can trust with your most intimate and private matters? Is this person someone you could refer to a family member or friend?

Lastly, but very important to many individuals is the office atmosphere.  What is the office like? Does it feel warm and welcoming like a home, or cold and distant like a clinic? Is the staff friendly?  Is it private, so that you won’t run into anyone else, especially someone you may know?  What is the office environment and appearance like? Is it easy to schedule appointments?  Do you have to wait long to see the doctor?   All these factors must be considered in you search for the psychiatrist who is the right fit for you.

How to find a Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida?

There are several things to keep in mind when looking for a Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida, but overall you want that person to be knowledgeable, experienced and sensitive to your individual situation.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to knowledge.  Is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida a qualified medical school graduate from a US or Foreign school?  Has that person ever had any action taken against him from a state medical board?  Is that Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida Board Certified in one or more specialties?  Is that Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida active in their local psychiatric society and contribute to the community such as a Fellow or even a Distinguished Fellow of a Psychiatric Society?  Does the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida stay current with modern practice methods?  Does that person interact with other peers on a regular basis?  Is this person respected by his/her peers and others in the community?  These are all factors the point to a knowledgeable Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida.

How many years of experience does the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida have?  Do they see kids, adolescents and adults on a regular basis and are they comfortable with that population?  How often do they see patients with a condition similar to the one you are seeking help for?  All of these serve to reassure you that the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida you choose has seen, treated and hopefully helped others with your condition.

Equally as important is sensitivity.  What is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida like?  This is easier said than done, because like with everything else psychiatrists have different personalities and you need to find someone who is a good fit with you.  Is the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida personable, friendly, and easy to talk to?  Does that person listen to you, answer your questions and put you at ease?  Is he or she able to explain things to you in a comfortable way you can easily understand?  Does that person spend time with you so you don’t feel rushed?  Does the Psychiatrist in Boca Raton Florida make you feel like you are a partner in the treatment or tell you what you will be doing with minimal regard to your own feelings and opinions?  Is this some one that you can trust with your most intimate and private matters, one you could refer to a friend or family member?

Finally, but very important to many people is the office atmosphere.  What is the office like?  Is it private, so that you won’t run into anyone else, especially someone you may know?  Is the staff friendly?  What is the office environment and appearance like?  Does it feel warm and welcoming like a home, or cold and distant like a clinic?   Do you have to wait long to see the doctor?  How easy is it to schedule appointments?  All these factors must be considered in you search for the psychiatrist who is the right fit for you.

 

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