Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I personally use positive affirmation prior to I use ACT.To me, positive affirmation makes sense and very helpful in someway. I use that to heal my past issues and become much more emotional independent. And ACT help me deal with anxiety when leave my comfort zone. ACT seems more effective in this area. I guess different technical will help with different issues and different people. A works well doesn't mean B is not working. Have a good trust on yourself. ACT is very similar with Buddhism Mindfulness practice. It follow the path of awareness. Positive affirmation very similar with chatting and prayer in Buddhism and spiritual tradition. It follow the path of love and devotion. To me the path of awareness works best, to others maybe different. As it says: " there are many rivers, all rivers flow to ocean. " My experience/understanding only > > Hello > > I'm interested in hearing what you think of positive affirmations, if you have any experiences (good or bad) from them, if they can be in conflict with ACTs approach etc. > > I used to do positive affirmations to " boost " my self-esteem, saying things like " I am a high valuable human being and I deserve to respect myself and to be respected by others " etc. Saying these things to myself obviously had an positive impact on me, I felt more loving towards myself and others. The only thing that bothered me was that it felt as if I became addicted to them, as if I had to say these things to love myself, and so everytime I felt even the littlest self-loathing I ran to the bathroom and repeated the affirmations. > > This was a while ago and since then I have gone through a couple of depressions (which ACT has helped me a lot with) and have focused more on my actions than my thoughts, to be short, and haven't dared to start doing affirmations again out of fear of clinging to them again; I want to love myself without having to say it loudly everyday, almost as if I had to convince myself. > But still I feel that it can be beneficent doing affirmations in the way that it can help one seeing things from a more positive point of view etc, but as I said, I'm afraid that one becomes to clingy and fused with them. Maybe one can do them from a more defused stance? > > > It would be very much appreciated if you shared your experiences! > > > > Leon > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 > > > I personally use positive affirmation prior to I use ACT.To me, positive affirmation makes sense and very helpful in someway. I use that to heal my past issues and become much more emotional independent. > > And ACT help me deal with anxiety when leave my comfort zone. ACT seems more effective in this area. > > I guess different technical will help with different issues and different people. A works well doesn't mean B is not working. Have a good trust on yourself. > > ACT is very similar with Buddhism Mindfulness practice. It follow the path of awareness. > > Positive affirmation very similar with chatting and prayer in Buddhism and spiritual tradition. It follow the path of love and devotion. > > To me the path of awareness works best, to others maybe different. As it says: " there are many rivers, all rivers flow to ocean. " > > My experience/understanding only > > > Thank you for your answer. Have you ever felt that feeling of becoming too dependent on them? And do you use them as a sort of a reminder of what you believe is true? Leon > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 If it works and has not drawback, then ask "why not?". Based on that logic, the question is whether toeing "addicted to them" was maladaptive in some way. Is is sensible.In ACT terms, maybe we are discussing whether there is fusion with the negative image of addiction? Or with the perceived consequences of addiction? Or with the fear of fusing with the affirmations?D Hello I'm interested in hearing what you think of positive affirmations, if you have any experiences (good or bad) from them, if they can be in conflict with ACTs approach etc. I used to do positive affirmations to "boost" my self-esteem, saying things like "I am a high valuable human being and I deserve to respect myself and to be respected by others" etc. Saying these things to myself obviously had an positive impact on me, I felt more loving towards myself and others. The only thing that bothered me was that it felt as if I became addicted to them, as if I had to say these things to love myself, and so everytime I felt even the littlest self-loathing I ran to the bathroom and repeated the affirmations. This was a while ago and since then I have gone through a couple of depressions (which ACT has helped me a lot with) and have focused more on my actions than my thoughts, to be short, and haven't dared to start doing affirmations again out of fear of clinging to them again; I want to love myself without having to say it loudly everyday, almost as if I had to convince myself. But still I feel that it can be beneficent doing affirmations in the way that it can help one seeing things from a more positive point of view etc, but as I said, I'm afraid that one becomes to clingy and fused with them. Maybe one can do them from a more defused stance? It would be very much appreciated if you shared your experiences! Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I think there are obvious conflicts between ACT and positive affirmations. Also conflicts between positive affirmations and CBT or REBT*.I think, not even considering ACT, CBT or REBT, and just looking at positive affirmations, there are problems with it - and more generally there are problems with positive thinking. Positive Psychology, on the other hand, I think is a good solid scientific branch of psychology and is something quite different from positive affirmations or thinking. *CBT = Cognitive Behavior TherapyREBT = Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Hello I'm interested in hearing what you think of positive affirmations, if you have any experiences (good or bad) from them, if they can be in conflict with ACTs approach etc. I used to do positive affirmations to " boost " my self-esteem, saying things like " I am a high valuable human being and I deserve to respect myself and to be respected by others " etc. Saying these things to myself obviously had an positive impact on me, I felt more loving towards myself and others. The only thing that bothered me was that it felt as if I became addicted to them, as if I had to say these things to love myself, and so everytime I felt even the littlest self-loathing I ran to the bathroom and repeated the affirmations. This was a while ago and since then I have gone through a couple of depressions (which ACT has helped me a lot with) and have focused more on my actions than my thoughts, to be short, and haven't dared to start doing affirmations again out of fear of clinging to them again; I want to love myself without having to say it loudly everyday, almost as if I had to convince myself. But still I feel that it can be beneficent doing affirmations in the way that it can help one seeing things from a more positive point of view etc, but as I said, I'm afraid that one becomes to clingy and fused with them. Maybe one can do them from a more defused stance? It would be very much appreciated if you shared your experiences! Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 From U of Penn site:Is positive psychology the same as positive thinking? Positive psychology is different from positive thinking in three significant ways. First, positive psychology is grounded in empirical and replicable scientific study. Second, positive thinking urges positivity on us for all times and places, but positive psychology does not. Positive psychology recognizes that in spite of the advantages of positive thinking, there are times when negative or realistic thinking is appropriate. Studies find that optimism is associated with better health, performance, longevity, and social success (Seligman, 1991; Lyubomirsky, King & Diener, 2005), but there is evidence that in some situations negative thinking leads to more accuracy and being accurate can have important consequences (Alloy, Abramson, & Chiara, 2000). Optimistic thinking can be associated with an underestimation of risks ( & Vaidya, 2003). For example, we do not necessarily want a pilot or air traffic controller to be an optimist when deciding whether to take off during a storm. The third distinction between positive thinking and positive psychology is that many scholars of positive psychology have spent decades working on the “negative” side of things – depression, anxiety, trauma, etc. We do not view positive psychology as a replacement for traditional psychology, but merely as a supplement to the hard-won gains of traditional psychology. I think there are obvious conflicts between ACT and positive affirmations. Also conflicts between positive affirmations and CBT or REBT*. I think, not even considering ACT, CBT or REBT, and just looking at positive affirmations, there are problems with it - and more generally there are problems with positive thinking. Positive Psychology, on the other hand, I think is a good solid scientific branch of psychology and is something quite different from positive affirmations or thinking. *CBT = Cognitive Behavior TherapyREBT = Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Hello I'm interested in hearing what you think of positive affirmations, if you have any experiences (good or bad) from them, if they can be in conflict with ACTs approach etc. I used to do positive affirmations to " boost " my self-esteem, saying things like " I am a high valuable human being and I deserve to respect myself and to be respected by others " etc. Saying these things to myself obviously had an positive impact on me, I felt more loving towards myself and others. The only thing that bothered me was that it felt as if I became addicted to them, as if I had to say these things to love myself, and so everytime I felt even the littlest self-loathing I ran to the bathroom and repeated the affirmations. This was a while ago and since then I have gone through a couple of depressions (which ACT has helped me a lot with) and have focused more on my actions than my thoughts, to be short, and haven't dared to start doing affirmations again out of fear of clinging to them again; I want to love myself without having to say it loudly everyday, almost as if I had to convince myself. But still I feel that it can be beneficent doing affirmations in the way that it can help one seeing things from a more positive point of view etc, but as I said, I'm afraid that one becomes to clingy and fused with them. Maybe one can do them from a more defused stance? It would be very much appreciated if you shared your experiences! Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 HiyaI'm tempted to write a list of all the things I have learned from ACT over the last 18 months or so, just to show myself how much I have absorbed. Anyway, #1 on that list would be "Thoughts can't be controlled: don't waste time trying".It's like trying to herd cats. They might go along with it for a minute or two, but then they'll be back to their feral tendencies.Best wishes x To: ACT_for_the_Public Sent: Tuesday, 3 January 2012, 2:45 Subject: Positive affirmations HelloI'm interested in hearing what you think of positive affirmations, if you have any experiences (good or bad) from them, if they can be in conflict with ACTs approach etc. I used to do positive affirmations to "boost" my self-esteem, saying things like "I am a high valuable human being and I deserve to respect myself and to be respected by others" etc. Saying these things to myself obviously had an positive impact on me, I felt more loving towards myself and others. The only thing that bothered me was that it felt as if I became addicted to them, as if I had to say these things to love myself, and so everytime I felt even the littlest self-loathing I ran to the bathroom and repeated the affirmations. This was a while ago and since then I have gone through a couple of depressions (which ACT has helped me a lot with) and have focused more on my actions than my thoughts, to be short, and haven't dared to start doing affirmations again out of fear of clinging to them again; I want to love myself without having to say it loudly everyday, almost as if I had to convince myself. But still I feel that it can be beneficent doing affirmations in the way that it can help one seeing things from a more positive point of view etc, but as I said, I'm afraid that one becomes to clingy and fused with them. Maybe one can do them from a more defused stance? It would be very much appreciated if you shared your experiences!Leon------------------------------------For other ACT materials and list serves see www.contextualpsychology.orgIf you do not wish to belong to ACT_for_the_Public, you may unsubscribe by sending an email to ACT_for_the_Public-unsubscribe@...! Groups Links<*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/<*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional<*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join (Yahoo! ID required)<*> To change settings via email: ACT_for_the_Public-digest ACT_for_the_Public-fullfeatured <*> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 > > I think there are obvious conflicts between ACT and positive affirmations. > Also conflicts between positive affirmations and CBT or REBT*. > > I think, not even considering ACT, CBT or REBT, and just looking at > positive affirmations, there are problems with it - and more generally > there are problems with positive thinking. Positive > Psychology<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_psychology>, > on the other hand, I think is a good solid scientific branch of psychology > and is something quite different from positive affirmations or thinking. > > > > *CBT = Cognitive Behavior Therapy > REBT = Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. > > Hi. Could you give some examples of how it can be in conflict with ACT, CBT etc. and also how positive affirmations and positive thinking can be problematic in general? Besides that exaggareted optimism can do more harm than good. Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 > > The problem is that research has shown that when you REALLY need > affirmations, they fail. > > If you search the archive of the list serve you will find the reference > > As long as life is going well and people feel OK, they sort of work. > > Why? > > Affirmations contain a seed of " don't think this -- think that. " > When you really need them, that seed grows into the usual > rebound effect that comes from cognitive control > > My advice: as a soft flexibility exercise they are OK > but treat them very lightly. If you find they have any sense of > push or struggle behind them, stop and stick with > ACT methods. Affirmations are for days of light breezes, > not heavy winds > > - S > Thank you. But say, I want to trust myself better or befriend myself more, I say things like " I trust myself " and " I am my own best friend " . I am going to experiment with it for a month or so now, after all; knowing is through experience. I will try to do it from a mindful, defused and accepting stance, so I don't become all entangled in feelings and thoughts. I see this more as a reminder than an attempt to convince myself, because trusting myself and being my own friend are very important to me. Could you see this as values? What do you think of this approach? (And I know, just the fact that I have to ask you about it is probably a sign of lack of trust in myself, but it is good to bounce ideas.) Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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