Emotional distortions are twisted or irrational thought patterns that can have a profound impact on our mental health and well-being.

These distortions can lead to negative emotions, unhealthy behaviours, and strained relationships.

In this article, we will explore the types, causes, and consequences of emo­tional distortions, as well as strategies for overcoming them.

Types of Emotional Dis­tortions

1. All-or-Nothing Thinking: Seeing things in absolute terms.

2. Catastrophising: Exag­gerating potential conse­quences.

3. Over generalisation: Making sweeping conclu­sions based on limited evidence.

4. Mind Reading: Assuming others’ thoughts or inten­tions.

5. Emotional Reasoning: Believing emotions reflect reality.

6. Should Statements: Imposing unrealistic expec­tations.

7. Labelling: Assigning negative labels to oneself or others.

8. Personalisation: Taking things too personally.

Causes of emotional dis­tortions

1. Childhood experiences

2. Trauma

3. Stress

4. Social learning

5. Cultural influences

6. Genetic predisposition

Consequences of emo­tional distortions

1. Anxiety and depression

2. Relationship conflicts

3. Low self-esteem

4. Impaired decision-mak­ing

5. Substance abuse

6. Physical health prob­lems

Overcoming emotional distortions

1. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging distortions.

2. Mindfulness: Practising self-awareness.

3. Self-Reflection: Exam­ining thought patterns.

4. Journaling: Recording and analysing thoughts.

5. Seeking support: Con­sulting therapists or support groups.

Strategies for Maintaining Mental Well-being

1. Practice self-compas­sion.

2. Engage in physical activity.

3. Cultivate social connec­tions.

4. Prioritise sleep and nutrition.

5. Seek professional help when needed.

Conclusion

Emotional distortions can have a profound impact on mental health, but they can be overcome. By recognis­ing and challenging these distortions, individuals can develop healthier thought patterns, improve relation­ships, and enhance overall well-being.

_References_

– Beck, A. T. (1977). Cog­nitive Behavior Therapy.

– Burns, D. D. (1999). The Feeling Good Handbook.

– American Psychological Association. (2022). Cogni­tive-Behavioral Therapy.

By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson

Sometimes you wonder what is going on especially the period before Christ­mas, in terms of the road incidents.

Yesterday, heading towards town, on my way to lay a wreath on my late wife’s grave, on the anniversary of her burial, I saw cars ahead of me suddenly indicating that they want to move into the middle lane from the inner lane.

I then saw, as I inched along, the reason for moving into the middle lane. Appar­ently an Uber vehicle had hit the side of a Mercedes Benz car and they were arguing and trying to sort things out.

It was apparent that the cause of the incident was due to rushing to get ahead of the Benz. A few moments of pa­tience from both drivers could have avoided that incident.

It just does not make sense that you are in so much of a hurry that you could not let reason prevail for one of you to exercise restraint, to allow the other vehicle to pass and now both of you are wasting precious time on the road, the very thing you were trying to avoid in the first place.

There is another aspect that is related to this rushing that has to be addressed. People are no longer willing to show empathy with others, such that for a driver to pause for another driver to pass to join the traffic or to cross to the other lane is becoming non-existent these days.

We seem to be selfish in most cases which then caus­es drivers to rush to join the traffic after waiting and waiting without any one giving him or her the opportunity to move to join the traffic. I was tempted to be callous by ignoring vehicles that wanted to cross from my right to join the opposite traffic coming from the Ghana Law School entrance toward Tema Sta­tion, earlier this week due to the behaviour of some drivers toward me.

However, I remembered that I was a Christian and a higher standard of empathy is required of me, so I paused for them to cross from the exit point of the filling station to join the traffic going in the opposite direction.

I nearly knocked down two people earlier this week due to their lack of safety I suppose or is it a lack of focus on the streets. I think safety education needs to be inten­sified because of what hap­pened on Monday.

How on earth would anyone attempt to cross a road, in front of a vehicle when a traf­fic light has just shown green? It really beats my imagination but that was exactly what happened and how I did not kill her, is attributable only to divine intervention.

Shortly before this incident, I had narrowly avoided hitting another person, who also crossed in front of me when I was about to join a main road with traffic coming from my left side so I was focused on my left side.

A vehicle was ahead of me and so was waiting to move as soon as it moves. The vehicle moved and just as I was about to follow, this young lady just showed up at my right fender and again I would say it was only by divine intervention that she escaped either seri­ous injury or even death.

The level of selfish con­siderations in the country is becoming alarming by the day and it is something that must be addressed. The normal Ghanaian attitude of toler­ance towards each other is now gradually vanishing from our society and is very worry­ing.

People are becoming much more inward looking and if something is not going to ben­efit him or her, they are just not interested. There are a few people who still do what is right and they should be commended to continue the good works.

My advice to my fellow Ghanaians is that, let us stop this rushing when we are driving especially as Christ­mas is approaching so we can save ourselves from avoidable incidents. God bless.

By Laud Kissi-Mensah