It seems like most folks are prone to these cognitive distortions in subtle ways. Such thoughts are likely exaggerated in those who have neurotic or depressive personalities.

It seems like "disqualifying the positive" would apply to me more often than it should. Being depressed all I tend to see is the negative. Life is like being stuck within the rhythms and flows of an impersonal and brutal bureaucratic slave-driving machine but I fail to have a perspective grounded in true hell (genocide, poverty, failed states and war).

Am reading J. Goldstein's explanation of the Sattipathana Sutta (foundation for mindfulness meditation). Being mindful of the mind's automaticity in regards to sensation is important to freeing ourselves from bad habits of cognitive distortions.

Such thoughts are likely exaggerated in those who have neurotic or depressive personalities. — Nils Loc

Why is that so?

It seems like "disqualifying the positive" would apply to me more often than it should. Being depressed all I tend to see is the negative. Life is like being stuck within the rhythms and flows of an impersonal and brutal bureaucratic slave-driving machine but I fail to have a perspective grounded in true hell (genocide, poverty, failed states and war). — Nils Loc

How can you appreciate the positive more? Can you stop disqualifying the positive?

Am reading J. Goldstein's explanation of the Sattipathana Sutta (foundation for mindfulness meditation). Being mindful of the mind's automaticity in regards to sensation is important to freeing ourselves from bad habits of cognitive distortions. — Nils Loc

So, mindfulness meditation is the key, here?

Why is that so? — Posty McPostface

There is a more severe tension (or dissonance) between expected, normal or good behavior and the behavior of someone suffering anxiety or depression and this is reflected in thought by rationalization.

How can you appreciate the positive more? Can you stop disqualifying the positive? — Posty McPostface

The first step would be to stop the negative thought or be aware that it is unnecessary, then affirm all the good things in one's life as a counterpoint I guess. There is a lot of relative good in my life but when it doesn't correspond to feeling good its hard to find it worthwhile (or to do it). Feeling bad corresponds with thinking negatively in my book.

So, mindfulness meditation is the key, here? — Posty McPostface

Just a practiced method for relief.

There is a more severe tension (or dissonance) between expected, normal or good behavior and the behavior of someone suffering anxiety or depression and this is reflected in thought by rationalization. — Nils Loc

Yes; but, what makes the mind of a depressive more prone to cognitive distortions?

Yes; but, what makes the mind of a depressive more prone to cognitive distortions? — Posty McPostface

Probably because feeling directs and is more crucial to thought than we think. Just a guess. Am relating this to disqualifying the positive or wallowing in the negative.

How about cognitive distortion re the idea that we should be seeking approval from moderators about how we can divide up topics?

Probably because feeling directs and is more crucial to thought than we think. Just a guess. Am relating this to disqualifying the positive for wallowing in the negative. — Nils Loc

Wallowing is fine. Some wallowing is healthy for the soul.

How about the cognitive distortion re the idea that we should be seeking approval from moderators about how we can divide up topics? — Terrapin Station

What do you mean??