Did you know that our thoughts can be considered our greatest allies or our most incisive enemies? This is because, far beyond simple mental fluctuations, our ideas and beliefs have the power to shape our behaviors, contributing mainly to our physical and emotional well-being.
Unfortunately, this process does not always flow functionally, leading to the formation of dysfunctional thoughts, which are nothing more than distorted and harmful ways of seeing the world, ourselves, and the future. Such thoughts can be damaging and cause a series of psychological and emotional problems, affecting our quality of life.
The Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, aware of the relevance of this topic, opens an important discussion addressing the 20 most common and destructive dysfunctional thoughts, and how we can effectively combat them through the study and application of Clinical Hypnosis.
After all, understanding our dysfunctional thoughts and learning to transform them is a relevant step in the search for a more balanced life. Remember: every thought has the potential to be transformed, and this journey begins with understanding and the will to change. Shall we discover together how to do this?
Understanding dysfunctional thoughts
First of all, it is important to understand what dysfunctional thoughts are. They are, essentially, thinking patterns that lead us to see reality in a distorted way, often resulting in stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. We, as human beings, are prone to having these thoughts from time to time, but it is when they become recurrent that they become a problem.
These thoughts often arise from our past experiences and how we interpret them. For example, if we were frequently criticized as children, we might grow up believing that we are not good enough, regardless of how successful we become. This is just one of the countless ways dysfunctional thoughts can originate.
Identifying these thoughts is the first step to combating them. This can be done in several ways, one of which is through therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). However, it is important to emphasize that, although identification is important, true transformation comes with changing these thought patterns.
In this, clinical hypnosis can be a powerful tool. Through hypnosis, it is possible to access the root of these thoughts and begin to modify them. Next, let’s explore more about how the process works and what the 20 most common dysfunctional thoughts are.
The 20 most common dysfunctional thoughts
In the universe of clinical hypnosis, we deal with various types of dysfunctional thoughts, and all of them present challenges in the process of helping our patients. Here, I will share the 20 most common ones we encounter in our clinical practice.
- “I’m not good enough”
- “If I fail once, I will always fail”
- “I need to be loved by everyone”
- “Others are better than me”
- “I will never be happy”
These are just the first five, but they already show how destructive such thoughts can be. Now, let’s move on to the next ones:
- “I can’t change my habits”
- “I don’t deserve to be happy”
- “I can’t do anything right”
- “If I’m not worried, it means I don’t care”
- “My opinion doesn’t matter”
The list continues up to the twentieth position:
- “I must be perfect to be valued”
- “My needs are secondary”
- “I don’t deserve success”
- “If I make a mistake, everyone will find out I’m a fraud”
- “I will never be able to overcome my past”
- “If someone rejects me, it means there’s something wrong with me”
- “Life is unfair to me”
- “If I don’t control everything, things will go wrong”
- “I am defined by my mistakes”
- “If I’m not constantly worried, I’ll be caught off guard”
All are destructive and limiting, preventing the person from living a full and happy life. The good news is that clinical hypnosis can be an effective tool to help neutralize these dysfunctional thoughts.
The consequences of dysfunctional thoughts
We are surrounded by thinking machines – our minds. When they get stuck in ‘automatic mode’, causing dysfunctional thoughts, the consequences can be severe.
Dysfunctional thoughts have a considerable impact on people’s quality of life, leading to a downward spiral of negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression. They distort our perception of reality, making us feel as if we are in a tunnel with no way out.
These thoughts can cause a distorted paradigm of the world around us. They lead to low self-esteem, anxiety crises, and even depression. The scale of severity can vary, but the discomfort is constant.
The consequences are not restricted to the psychological aspect. Problems such as headaches, appetite changes, insomnia, and constant fatigue often accompany this scenario. And the social sphere is also affected, potentially leading to isolation, personal and professional relationship problems.
This chain of negative thoughts creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, which can make it difficult to adopt a more positive and constructive posture. This is a continuous struggle that requires effective approaches to be overcome.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in combating dysfunctional thoughts
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an incisive approach in the treatment of dysfunctional thoughts. The core of this therapy is to help patients transmute their negative thoughts, transforming them into views more aligned with reality. This approach is based on the idea that our thoughts dictate our emotions and behaviors, not the other way around.
CBT has a long history in treating multiple mental health disorders. From anxiety disorder and depression to schizophrenia, CBT has proven to be an effective therapeutic tool.
It happens gradually. It starts with identifying dysfunctional thoughts and ends with replacing them with more realistic and objective ones. This therapy is the art of “unlearning” toxic thoughts and “relearning” thoughts that favor mental health.
The daily practice of questioning the truth of a thought, which occurs during CBT, is a powerful tool. As this practice becomes habitual, patients tend to automatically question their dysfunctional thoughts on their own.
The role of clinical hypnosis in facing dysfunctional thoughts
It is certain that clinical hypnosis plays a significant role in facing dysfunctional thoughts, especially when we talk about the conscious and ethical use of this tool. We position hypnosis as an effective ally, capable of directly and positively affecting people’s emotional and psychological well-being.
Defined as a state of consciousness intentionally induced, hypnosis, especially in its clinical context, favors focused attention and reduces peripheral awareness, increasing responsiveness to suggestions. Why is this important? It is through this strategy that it becomes possible to act on dysfunctional thoughts.
Understanding that dysfunctional thoughts act as a kind of “negative filter” that distorts our interpretation of reality, clinical hypnosis can help challenge and combat these thoughts, promoting a positive reevaluation of situations and helping the person perceive and believe in a less threatening and more truthful reality.
Essentially, clinical hypnosis enables communication with deep aspects of the mind, facilitating changes in perceptions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. This allows for a recomprehension of one’s own world and role in it, enabling cognitive restructuring that can be fundamentally important in overcoming dysfunctional thoughts.
Use of Dysfunctional Thought Record techniques
The Dysfunctional Thought Record techniques are indispensable tools for those who want to help others through clinical hypnosis. Easy to learn, these techniques are the basis for identifying, analyzing, and consequently modifying dysfunctional thoughts.
First of all, it is important to emphasize the need to create a safe and trustworthy environment for the patient. The individual must feel comfortable opening up about their thoughts without fear of judgment. The role of the hypnotherapist is not only to listen but to perceive behavioral patterns
.
With the dialogue established, we move to the next step: identifying dysfunctional thoughts. For this, we use a technique called “self-monitoring”. Over a certain period, the individual should note all dysfunctional thoughts that arise, along with the circumstances that triggered them. This is a revealing process, as the person is often unaware of the implicit negativity in their thoughts.
Next, we analyze the thoughts. We ask pertinent questions to better understand the underlying reasons.
Last but not least, we discuss strategies to modify dysfunctional thoughts. Here, clinical hypnosis comes into action effectively. By reaching a state of deep relaxation, the person becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and can reprogram negative thoughts.
It is important to understand that this is a gradual process. Modifying dysfunctional thoughts requires consistency, patience, and persistence. But, I can assure you, it is worth it!
Practical examples: the use of clinical hypnosis to modify dysfunctional thoughts
In the field of clinical hypnosis, a powerful tool is the Dysfunctional Thought Record. This technique involves the professional guiding the patient to recognize and challenge the dysfunctional thoughts that are leading to unwanted emotions and behaviors.
Let me share a concrete example. Suppose we have a patient fearful of public speaking due to ‘all-or-nothing’ dysfunctional thoughts, believing that if she is not perfect in her presentation, she will have failed humiliatingly.
The application of clinical hypnosis, in this case, would focus on helping this patient reframe these absolutist and catastrophic thoughts. The professional would guide the patient into a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, allowing suggestions more directly and effectively.
The hypnotherapist could plant suggestions such as: “You are capable of speaking in public with confidence and calm” and “Occasional presentation failures are normal and acceptable”. This work with the patient aims to help her break out of the cycle of dysfunctional thoughts and see them from a more realistic and healthy perspective.
Clinical hypnosis has the potential to modify dysfunctional thoughts effectively, helping people break free from harmful thought patterns. In my experience, incorporating hypnosis techniques, combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy, has provided significant and lasting results in the patients I have the pleasure of accompanying.
The importance of ethics and responsibility in the application of clinical hypnosis
Some issues are crucial when we talk about the application of clinical hypnosis, among them ethics and responsibility. Working with the human mind is a serious matter and requires proper preparation. It is not something to be done lightly.
As therapists, we have the responsibility to respect our patients’ boundaries. Manipulating dysfunctional thoughts can be extremely beneficial, but it can also have negative results if done inadequately.
Ethics, in this sense, is fundamental. It is up to us, as professionals, to always seek the best for our patients. And this includes respecting their feelings, their experiences, and working with the goal of promoting emotional health, without seeking quick or miraculous results.
It is also our responsibility to ensure that we are adequately prepared to perform hypnosis treatment. This means having solid theoretical knowledge and sufficient practical training.
Moreover, it is essential to always maintain transparency with the patient. They need to understand what hypnosis is, how it works, and what the realistic expectations are regarding the treatment. This gives the patient the confidence and security necessary for successful treatment.
In this context, ethics and responsibility are inextricably linked to the application of clinical hypnosis. They are non-negotiable aspects that need to be respected by all of us, professionals in the field.
New perspectives: the future of clinical hypnosis in the treatment of dysfunctional thoughts
In the tomorrow that is still a promise, clinical hypnosis stands out with a bright future in the treatment of dysfunctional thoughts. As we advance in understanding the human mind, we realize that science and technology are our allies in this journey.
Take, for example, the recent evolution in neuroimaging and neurofeedback. These tools allow us to have a direct and real-time visualization of the brain in activity. For the first time, we can see changes occurring in real-time when a dysfunctional thought is replaced by a healthier thought through hypnosis. This not only validates the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis but also enables advances in treatment personalization.
On the other hand, scientists are also exploring the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. This could lead to even more personalized treatments, using algorithms to understand individual thought patterns and prepare specific hypnosis interventions for each person. Innovations like these allow us to dream of a future where dysfunctional thoughts can be treated more effectively and individually.
The future vision of clinical hypnosis is to be an indispensable tool in the arsenal of therapeutic techniques for the treatment of dysfunctional thoughts. We want more and more health professionals to integrate clinical hypnosis into their practice, and we will continue to offer the best training and education according to the latest scientific discoveries.
Conclusion
As discussed, understanding dysfunctional thoughts can provide valuable insight to help change negative thought patterns that may be causing emotional distress. By identifying these patterns, we can use them as a reference point to challenge and change non-productive thoughts, leading to more positive outcomes and better mental health management.
Thus, in the topics covered, we explored 20 of the most common and destructive dysfunctional thoughts that can interfere with our inner harmony and how they can impact people’s lives.
But remember, dealing with these thoughts involves more than just recognizing them. It requires practice, patience, and often professional guidance. In this sense, Clinical Hypnosis has proven to be an effective tool in reprogramming unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
The Brazilian Society of Hypnosis is proud to offer hypnosis training programs focusing on the practical and ethical application of this approach. Through our course and postgraduate options, we equip professionals with the theoretical and practical skills they need to start or improve their careers in mental health.
Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even have a new profession? Learn more about our courses and graduate with the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dysfunctional thoughts?
Dysfunctional thoughts are negative and irrational thought patterns that can lead to negative emotions and harmful behaviors. They are distortions of reality and can be related to various mental health conditions.
What are common types of dysfunctional thoughts?
Among the common types of dysfunctional thoughts are “all-or-nothing” thinking, catastrophizing, mind reading, personalization, and overgeneralization, among others. Each has its own set of characteristics and harmful effects.
How does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy help combat dysfunctional thoughts?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps combat dysfunctional thoughts by helping individuals identify these thought patterns and challenge their irrational beliefs. CBT also teaches coping skills to help individuals manage their negative emotions and develop more adaptive responses.
How does clinical hypnosis help in facing dysfunctional thoughts?
Clinical hypnosis can be used to help individuals face dysfunctional thoughts. It involves taking the individual into a state of deep relaxation and then suggesting more positive thoughts and behaviors. This therapy helps restructure dysfunctional thinking and strengthen self-esteem and self-confidence.
Why is ethics important in the application of clinical hypnosis?
Ethics in the application of clinical hypnosis is fundamental to ensuring that the treatment is conducted safely and effectively. This includes obtaining informed consent from the client, clearly explaining the process and treatment expectations, and not using hypnosis for manipulation or exploitation.
