Why My Mind Makes Me Believe Things That Are Not And What To Do

There are different phenomena that can cause someone to think false or erroneous things depending on the cause and severity of these beliefs. Below we delve into the most common reasons.

Cognitive distortions

Cognitive distortions are patterns of irrational thinking that lead to inaccurate interpretations of reality. Cognitive distortions often cause the person to perceive situations in a more negative way or extreme of how they really are. Catastrophic thinking, overgeneralization, and polarized thinking are some of the most common distortions.

Delusions

We understand “illusion” as that misperception of a real stimulus. Illusions are usually harmless and habitual, especially when the mind is tired or tense. An example of this phenomenon is seeing a shadow and attributing to it the shape of a human figure. In this article you will find more information about Optical Illusions in psychology: what they are, types and how we perceive them.

Delusions

The delusions are beliefs that the person holds firmly, but they are not based on reality and, therefore, are clearly false. For example, someone with delusions may believe that she has psychic powers or that she is being watched by a secret agent.

Delusions are often a symptom of more serious mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or psychosis.

Hallucinations

Unlike illusions, a hallucination consists of perceiving something that does not exist in the real world. These hallucinations can be visual, auditory, gustatory or tactileand as in the case of delusions, hallucinations usually indicate a serious mental disorder.

However, it is also possible to experience this phenomenon in certain medical conditions, or due to the use of some drugs. In this article we tell you the difference between delirium and hallucination.

Paranoia

Another reason that can cause your mind to make you believe things that are not true is paranoia. This disorder causes a intense and irrational distrust of other people. In addition, it is usually accompanied by the belief that you are in danger or are being persecuted. Paranoia can sometimes be a symptom of other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or paranoid personality disorder.

The human brain can make us believe things that are not true for various reasons, such as trauma, stress, biological factors, or the environment. We see it below:

• Survival: From an evolutionary perspective, our mind is wired to detect threats. This can lead us to mistakenly interpret situations as dangerous when they really are not. This “false alarm” mechanism may have been useful in ensuring the survival of our ancestors. However, in our current society it contributes to anxiety and other cognitive distortions.
• Confirmation bias: It is the tendency to search for, interpret and remember information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs. This bias can cause us to ignore evidence that contradicts our opinions, thus reinforcing an erroneous and distorted perception of reality. In this article we explain in detail what Confirmation Bias consists of.
• Mental disorders: Diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders can cause erroneous beliefs and perceptions, as these disorders affect the transmission of chemical signals and the functioning of the brain.
• Stress and fatigue: Stress and fatigue can affect our ability to think clearly and process information correctly. That is, when we are stressed or exhausted, we are more likely to misinterpret situations and our minds to play tricks on us.
• Past experiences: The past, especially traumas and negative experiences, can significantly impact how we interpret current situations and predispose us to see the world in a distorted way.

If you discover that your mind makes you believe things that are not, or you have erroneous perceptions and/or beliefs about reality, you should seek help immediately. These are some of the strategies you can apply to manage distortions:

Go to a professional

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist can help you identify and treat both cognitive distortions and underlying problems. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for address and correct thinking patterns irrational.

Practice full attention or mindfulness

Mindfulness reminds us of the need to be present in “the now” and be aware, without judgment, of our thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, the practice of mindfulness reduces the tendency to misunderstand and react excessively to situations.

Question your thoughts

Ask yourself if there is evidence to support your beliefs or opinions, and if you are interpreting the situation objectively. Writing down your daily life in a journal can help you identify patterns in your thoughts and emotions. For example, here you will see How to make an emotions diary.

Surround yourself with trustworthy people

Talk to your friends or family about your thoughts and concerns, as these could offer you a different perspective on the situation and provide you with emotional support. Sometimes sharing our worries with another person is enough to relieve tension.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Finally, make sure to exercise frequently, maintain a balanced diet and, above all, rest enough. These small changes can significantly improve your mental health and your ability to manage stress.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why my mind makes me believe things that are not and what to do we recommend that you enter our Cognitive Psychology category.