COVID-19 UPDATE – Click to Read

Get a FREE Gift, my intro to help Get Unstuck

Justin K. Hughes, MA, LPC

Get Unstuck From Fear

Misinformation & Merry Christmas!

Posted in General Psychology, Mental Health

According to Dictionary.com, their word of the year is “Misinformation.”  Defined as “false information that is spread,” misinformation occurs “regardless of whether there is intent to mislead.”

Misinformation, and its brother, disinformation, can be harmful.  Clearly.  Though much of the current state of discussion around this concerns external affairs.  Much of what we are responsible for at least begins internally (how we respond and engage).

Aligning our thoughts, beliefs, and behavior with reality- what’s true and realistic- is a crucial “mechanism of action” that helps facilitate positive outcomes.  This is particularly true in the method of therapy I use- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy),

We know that cognitive distortions [click for pdf list] only prevent us from succeeding and growing.  These errors are harmful especially when they are consistent approaches to thought, such as All-Or-Nothing Thinking (I missed my workout today; I might as well skip this week), Mental Filtering (I know they said they enjoyed meeting me, but they must not like me because they talked more to other people), and jumping to conclusions (I just know that she got off the phone quickly because she thinks I’m an idiot!).  The deeper these go, the more impactful they are and harder to break.

So in a world of misinformation, make sure you first tell yourself the truth, whether it’s difficult or comforting.  In this time of the year that is special, wonderful, challenging, or downright awful for some, what can you do?

Be realistic.  Tell yourself the truth, and to others.  Align your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with commitment, purpose, and meaning (and if you’re not sure what yours is, find it with help!), and try to get as close to what’s honest and accurate.  Be a good researcher (humble).  Don’t get snowed by misinformation.  Give the gift of realistic, truthful thinking.  Your brain will thank you (and probably everyone else will, too).

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

Yours truly,
~Justin

Picture

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Tags:

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Related posts

Connection- The Importance of Not Walking Alone

Sitting at the Annual International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) OCDCon2022, I am struck by the power of connection.  The conference is really strange- in a good way.  As my family and I reflected on it, we all noted the unique nature of bringing together professionals and researchers with sufferers, family members, siblings, youth, young adults, parents, […]

Read More >
Faith & OCD Conference: Navigating OCD in Diverse Faith-Based Communities

Join Us!  I’ll be speaking/moderating for several sessions, including the Christian Discussion Group! “The IOCDF is excited to present the second annual virtual Faith and OCD Conference on Monday, May 9! This unique event began out of recognition that many people living with OCD initially seek assistance from a faith leader prior to a mental […]

Read More >
church interior
Why Church May Be Difficult For OCD Sufferers [Guest Post by The Mind and Soul Foundation]

The Mind and Soul Foundation is a non-profit in the U.K. described as a team of leaders who bring together resources on both faith and emotions, instead of separating the two.  This article is re-posted in full with their permission (formatting is the only change).  You may read more about them at the end of […]

Read More >
woman standing under pink-petaled flowers
Religious Trauma

As a clinician and person of faith, I really wish all the stories I tell involved an easy resolution.  That’s not the case, nor is it a reality.  It is important for us as clinicians and people of faith to hear of the hurts, pains, and in-process stories that can remind us: it’s a process– […]

Read More >
Do You Repeatedly Check Things to Make Sure?  BIG Mistake.  Checking Leads to Memory Distrust

The research is really clear on this: disordered checking behaviors (and thoughts) lead to distrust of your memory (van den Hout & Kint, 2003; Radomsky & Alcolado, 2010).  Let’s say you walk away from your front door or your car.  You typically lock them.  But you start to think about it, and you are now […]

Read More >
woman in gray sweater sitting on white chair
HOW You Do Exposure Therapy is MORE Important Than What You Do

Lisa is a learner, sensitive to do the right thing, and receptive to the input of other people.  She’s just another example of one of the true “sweethearts” that I get to work with.  When we started therapy she was a “therapist’s dream”: receptive, ready to learn, willing to try any exercise suggested, and highly […]

Read More >