You Can Change the Way You Feel! This podcast features David D. Burns MD, author of "Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy," in conversation with Fabrice Nye, PhD, describing powerful new techniques to overcome depression and anxiety and develop greater joy and self-esteem. For therapists and the general public alike!Read more »
You Can Change the Way You Feel! This podcast features David D. Burns MD, author of "Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy," in conversation with Fabrice Nye, PhD, describing powerful new techniques to overcome depression and anxiety and develop greater joy and self-esteem. For therapists and the general public alike!Read Less
Rajesh asked:
Nikola asked:
Fabrice and I appreciate your questions--they often give us ideas for shows! In today’s Podcast you'll learn the answers to several questions about Self-Defeating Beliefs.
What’s the difference between Self-Defeating Beliefs (SDBs) vs. Cognitive Distortions?
The thoughts that contain cognitive distortions, such as All-or-Nothing Thinking, Overgeneralization, Discounting the Positive, and Self-Blame are distortions of reality, they are the cons that trigger depression and anxiety. When you're upset, these thoughts will flood your mind. These thoughts can be show to be false, and when you crush a distorted negative thought, you'll immediately feel better.
Self-Defeating Beliefs are stipulations, values that you've set up for your self. For example, you may base your self-esteem on your accomplishments due to your belief that people who accomplish more are more worthwhile as human beings. SDBs like this cannot actually be shown to be false--they are simply your personal, subjective values, and they are thought to be with you all the time, and not just when you're depressed, anxious, or angry.
The question with an SDB is this: What are the advantages and disadvantages of having this value system? How will it help me--what are the benefits--and how might it hurt me? What's the downside?
Why are Self-Defeating Beliefs thought to be important?
When you challenge and defeat a distorted thought, you feel better in the here-and-now. When you challenge and change an SDB, you change your value system at a deep level. This is thought to make you less vulnerable to painful mood swings and relationship conflicts in the future.
What are the different kinds of SDBs?
How can you identify your own, or a patient’s, Self-Defeating Beliefs?