Practice the mindfulness technique of thought defusion to detach from harmful thought patterns, reducing their impact. This detachment helps you obtain greater mental flexibility and reduced stress.
“Regularly practicing thought defusion has been shown to decrease an individual’s believability of their negative thoughts, increase their overall comfort and willingness to have the negative thought, and increase their mood overall” Andreas Larsson.
AML patients and their caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the onset of an AML diagnosis. From navigating which treatment to choose, managing the side effects of the disease, and finding relief from the cancer’s financial burden, these issues may lead many to feel anxious and depressed. It is our goal at HealthTree to support you with resources that can help alleviate the burden of this disease, including those related to mental health.
Apart from you speaking with a licensed mental health counselor who is the expert in navigating your personal situation to help you feel better mentally, we are happy to share general techniques that mental health specialists recommend to support you in improving your emotional health.
Mindfulness refers to various therapist-recommended techniques that help you observe your own thoughts and feelings in the present moment without being overwhelmed by them. Practicing mindfulness can help you improve your mental well-being and reduce stress.
The specific mindfulness technique discussed in this article is called thought defusion.
“The goal of thought defusion is to create space between ourselves and our thoughts. When we are overly reactive or attached to our negative thoughts, we typically experience mental and/or emotional discomfort and unnecessary suffering” Andreas Larsson.
Thought defusion is a core component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling overwhelmed by them.
Thought defusion involves a shift in how one relates to their thoughts, moving from a stance of literal acceptance to one of detached observation. Instead of identifying with every thought or seeing them as absolute truths, the practice teaches individuals to see thoughts as mere mental events that pass through the mind. This process helps in reducing the impact and influence of negative or unhelpful thoughts on one’s emotional state and behaviors.
“Creating space between ourselves and our negative thoughts can decrease the emotional discomfort associated with these thoughts as well as increase the willingness to be exposed to these thoughts” Hilary-Anne Healy.
In conclusion, practicing thought defusion can support you by creating a space between you and your negative thoughts. This, in turn, can help reduce emotional discomfort and unnecessary suffering associated with those thoughts.
Practice the mindfulness technique of thought defusion to detach from harmful thought patterns, reducing their impact. This detachment helps you obtain greater mental flexibility and reduced stress.
“Regularly practicing thought defusion has been shown to decrease an individual’s believability of their negative thoughts, increase their overall comfort and willingness to have the negative thought, and increase their mood overall” Andreas Larsson.
AML patients and their caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the onset of an AML diagnosis. From navigating which treatment to choose, managing the side effects of the disease, and finding relief from the cancer’s financial burden, these issues may lead many to feel anxious and depressed. It is our goal at HealthTree to support you with resources that can help alleviate the burden of this disease, including those related to mental health.
Apart from you speaking with a licensed mental health counselor who is the expert in navigating your personal situation to help you feel better mentally, we are happy to share general techniques that mental health specialists recommend to support you in improving your emotional health.
Mindfulness refers to various therapist-recommended techniques that help you observe your own thoughts and feelings in the present moment without being overwhelmed by them. Practicing mindfulness can help you improve your mental well-being and reduce stress.
The specific mindfulness technique discussed in this article is called thought defusion.
“The goal of thought defusion is to create space between ourselves and our thoughts. When we are overly reactive or attached to our negative thoughts, we typically experience mental and/or emotional discomfort and unnecessary suffering” Andreas Larsson.
Thought defusion is a core component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling overwhelmed by them.
Thought defusion involves a shift in how one relates to their thoughts, moving from a stance of literal acceptance to one of detached observation. Instead of identifying with every thought or seeing them as absolute truths, the practice teaches individuals to see thoughts as mere mental events that pass through the mind. This process helps in reducing the impact and influence of negative or unhelpful thoughts on one’s emotional state and behaviors.
“Creating space between ourselves and our negative thoughts can decrease the emotional discomfort associated with these thoughts as well as increase the willingness to be exposed to these thoughts” Hilary-Anne Healy.
In conclusion, practicing thought defusion can support you by creating a space between you and your negative thoughts. This, in turn, can help reduce emotional discomfort and unnecessary suffering associated with those thoughts.
about the author
Megan Heaps
Megan joined HealthTree in 2022. As a writer and the daughter of a blood cancer patient, she is dedicated to helping patients and their caregivers understand the various aspects of their disease. This understanding enables them to better advocate for themselves and improve their treatment outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, and cooking.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for news, stories, clinical trial updates, and helpful resources and events with cancer experts.