Can We Choose What to Think?
| |

Can We Choose What to Think?

Thousands of thoughts pass through the mind during a day. However, only some of these catch our attention while most cannot make their way into our consciousness. Moreover, we stay focused on some thoughts more when compared to others.  Then, is it random that some thoughts are more prominent or is there any decision mechanism…

stop thinking
| | |

I wish I could stop thinking…

In one of our previous posts, “Can We Control Our Thoughts?”, we examined if it is possible to stop or control our thoughts. Here, I give an example of how to challenge an automatic thought about controlling our thinking. I use the cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for challenging automatic thoughts. In her mind, Carol is…

control
| |

Can We Control Our Thoughts?

 “…There has been a machine installed in my head, and this machine has been continuously lining up thoughts, impressions, without a break. If I only had the control of this machine, if I only thought of the things I wanted, in the order I wanted them to be, who knows what I could have achieved….

the interpreter at work
| |

Storytelling Brain: The Left-Brain Interpreter

Decades of research have shown that there is an area in the left-hemisphere of our brains that constantly makes up stories about anything and everything! The pioneer of the research, neuroscientist Michael Gazzaniga and his colleagues call it “the interpreter”. They discovered the interpreter while they were working with patients so called “split-brain patients”. As…

compulsivechecking2
| | |

A CBT Session: Compulsive Checking (Part 1)

Our session with Claire was supposed to start 15 mins ago. While wondering why she might have been late, I was sitting on my chair enjoying my cup of coffee as I heard a car engine stopped. She must have arrived. Less than a minute, she was there, standing at my office door. C: Hello,…