Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

[Black Rose]

I do not understand it.

Most times I do not have thoughts, I just feel bad or good.

Thoughts happen unconsciously I suppose, I don't talk to myself in my head.

So what is this supposed to be about?

Do people really monolog things in their heads, to me that is not thinking at all.

To say, problem solve, the words need to come from somewhere first,

that is why I just access the unconscious without having to pronounce everything.

If words do pop into my head they are simple and with long pauses.

Is this the difference between introverted and extroverted thinking?

When I solve a problem I stare at it until it is solved, no words.

Sometimes I remember sounds and what people said.

But it has nothing to do with me responding to it with a monolog.

 

[Hadoblado]

You have aphantasia iirc? Anauralia has high comorbidity. It sounds like your inner monologue isn't very strong.

IMO the most important part of CBT is the behavioural component. I just couldn't find great evidence for the cognitive side of things. I found behavioural activation key in helping get myself out of depression.

The cognitive side also includes beliefs, not just thoughts. So for example, a depressed person or an incel will often have an array of beliefs that keep them from improving their lives. The cognitive side of CBT would be identifying those core beliefs (often through the Socratic method) and then challenging them. One core belief I identified from CBT is an irrational pessimism, for example. I feel like things will turn out poorly even when I have no rational reason to.

 

[Black Rose]

IMO the most important part of CBT is the behavioural component.

The cognitive side also includes beliefs, not just thoughts.

It is hard for me to put a finger on what I believe.

What defines my problems are two things.

Other people

low energy

It seems I have to accommodate others because if I don't bad things happen. This is a real causal effect. No matter how upset I get at people I have to not do anything to upset them or they will leave me. This is true of anyone I depend on. I don't have the resources to take care of myself otherwise. Some people can have everyone hate them and they can get away with it because they can take care of themselves without others. That is not true in my case. I don't have money or time or food to afford to piss people off. It is not that I cannot say no, some things do cross the line, it is that other people can afford to not care about me if I act poorly but I cannot afford that in return. This is the result of extreme poverty.

 

[fractalwalrus]

IMO the most important part of CBT is the behavioural component.

The cognitive side also includes beliefs, not just thoughts.

It is hard for me to put a finger on what I believe.

What defines my problems are two things.

Other people

low energy

It seems I have to accommodate others because if I don't bad things happen. This is a real causal effect. No matter how upset I get at people I have to not do anything to upset them or they will leave me. This is true of anyone I depend on. I don't have the resources to take care of myself otherwise. Some people can have everyone hate them and they can get away with it because they can take care of themselves without others. That is not true in my case. I don't have money or time or food to afford to piss people off. It is not that I cannot say no, some things do cross the line, it is that other people can afford to not care about me if I act poorly but I cannot afford that in return. This is the result of extreme poverty.

I would find it highly unlikely that CBT would be able to single-handedly lift you out of poverty, unless you started an OnlyFans and started engaging in the kind of CBT that I do not think we are referring to here. That would come with its own set of problems, and honestly, would probably drive your nuts. Your situation is unfortunate, so I would say that CBT may be effective in trying to reverse any self-defeating behaviors that could worsen your situation, but I am not an expert so don't listen to me here. You have certainly analyzed your relationship with others in a manner that would be rather discouraging (you believe that they do not need you). While these beliefs may have been rooted in your past negative experiences, unless I am mistaken, CBT would seek to try and get you to escape that line of thought. It may be true that you have had experiences where people leave, but you do not actually know their motives for so doing unless they explicitly told you. Otherwise, you are inferring things, and inferences can be wrong sometimes.