Self-Hypnosis and Volitional Control of Finger Temperature Among Adults Joseph Swope Walden University

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Self-Hypnosis and Volitional Control of Finger Temperature Among Adults Joseph Swope Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 1-1-2011 Self-Hypnosis and Volitional Control of Finger Temperature Among Adults Joseph Swope Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, and the Biological Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Joseph Swope has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Thomas Edman, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Susan Kaz, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Elisha Galaif, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2013 Abstract Self-Hypnosis and Volitional Control of Finger Temperature Among Adults by Joseph Swope Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University June 2013 Abstract Raynaud’s disease is a condition in which circulation to the hands becomes restricted, causing an uncomfortable sense of cold and occasionally injury. The cause of Raynaud’s disease is unknown. Earlier studies have shown that hetero-hypnosis is effective in the treatment of Raynaud’s disease. Cost and access to providers limit such a treatment’s availability. Theories of hypnosis suggest that self-hypnosis underlies all hypnotic processes. This study examined the utility of self-hypnosis and focused attention on the volitional control of hand temperature. Forty-three adult participants ranging in age from 19 to 77 years with no hypnosis experience were randomly divided into 2 groups; 20 completed the study. Eleven participants listened to a self-hypnosis recording and 9 listened to a mostly blank recording containing periodic instructions to concentrate on controlling finger temperature. A paired samples t test showed a significant difference in means between pre- and post-treatment ability. A second t test did not show a significant difference in means between the groups’ ability. Analysis of survey data did not show a significant relationship between participant demographic data and ability to control finger temperature. However, analysis of participant survey responses did show that self- hypnosis was significantly more enjoyable than conscious concentration, which suggests that self-hypnosis has greater potential for adoption if used in the treatment of Raynaud's disease. Because self-hypnosis was found to be enjoyable and effective it may be superior to other treatments that are unpleasant or have pharmacological side effects. These findings will inform sufferers of Raynaud’s disease and researchers in their efforts to treat the disease. The positive social change implications of this study are to expand treatment options for a disease that affects 4% of the world’s population. Self-Hypnosis and Volitional Control of Finger Temperature Among Adults by Joseph Swope Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University June 2013 UMI Number: 3554772 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3554772 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Table of Contents Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... i List of Figures ...................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................... 1 Background ......................................................................................................... 1 Background of This Study................................................................................... 2 Problem Statement .............................................................................................. 2 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................... 3 Rationale.............................................................................................................. 5 Nature of the Study ............................................................................................. 5 Research Questions ............................................................................................. 6 Hypothesis ........................................................................................................... 9 Definition of Terms ........................................................................................... 10 Assumptions ...................................................................................................... 12 Limitations ........................................................................................................ 12 Delimitations ..................................................................................................... 13 Significance of the Study .................................................................................. 14 Summary and Transition ................................................................................... 14 i Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................ 17 Research Strategy .............................................................................................. 18 Criteria for Inclusion ......................................................................................... 19 Primary Raynaud’s Disease .............................................................................. 21 Treatment of Raynaud’s Disease....................................................................... 23 Hypnosis ............................................................................................................ 25 Altered State Debate.......................................................................................... 26 Neurological Correlates in Hypnotic States ...................................................... 27 Types of Hypnosis ............................................................................................. 28 The Importance of Suggestion .......................................................................... 29 Self-Hypnosis .................................................................................................... 32 Conscious Concentration Versus Hypnosis ...................................................... 37 Stress, Mental States, and Circulation ............................................................... 39 Biofeedback and Circulation ............................................................................. 41 Concerns With Biofeedback as a Treatment ..................................................... 42 Hypnosis and Other CAM Treatments for Increasing Blood Flow .................. 44 Hypnosis and Extremity Cooling ...................................................................... 47 Hypnosis and Difference of Participant Variables ............................................ 49 ii Gender of Participants ................................................................................... 49 Individuality of Participants .......................................................................... 50 Age of Participants ........................................................................................ 51 Motivation of Participants ............................................................................. 52 Hypnosis for Circulation and Other Diseases ................................................... 54 Hypnosis and Aversive Symptoms ................................................................... 56 Negative Effects of Hypnosis ............................................................................ 57 Use of Hypnosis Recordings in Previous Research .......................................... 58 Finger Temperature and Classical Conditioning ............................................... 60 Studies That Offer Contradictory Findings ....................................................... 61 Summary and Transition ................................................................................... 68 Chapter 3: Research Method ................................................................................. 70 Introduction ......................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Sacred Psychoanalysis” – an Interpretation Of
    “SACRED PSYCHOANALYSIS” – AN INTERPRETATION OF THE EMERGENCE AND ENGAGEMENT OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOANALYSIS by JAMES ALISTAIR ROSS A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham July 2010 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT From the 1970s the emergence of religion and spirituality in psychoanalysis is a unique development, given its traditional pathologizing stance. This research examines how and why ‘sacred psychoanalysis’ came about and whether this represents a new analytic movement with definable features or a diffuse phenomena within psychoanalysis that parallels developments elsewhere. After identifying the research context, a discussion of definitions and qualitative reflexive methodology follows. An account of religious and spiritual engagement in psychoanalysis in the UK and the USA provides a narrative of key people and texts, with a focus on the theoretical foundations established by Winnicott and Bion. This leads to a detailed examination of the literary narratives of religious and spiritual engagement understood from: Christian; Natural; Maternal; Jewish; Buddhist; Hindu; Muslim; Mystical; and Intersubjective perspectives, synthesized into an interpretative framework of sacred psychoanalysis.
    [Show full text]
  • Learning Objectives Focusing-Oriented Therapy 2-Year
    Learning Objectives Focusing-Oriented Therapy 2-Year Certification Program List of Objectives: First Year: - Summarize the history and research behind Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT). - List and describe the 6 steps of focusing. - Demonstrate how to make contact with and experience one’s own felt sense. - Demonstrate how to help a client make contact with a felt sense. - Demonstrate how to open up one’s own felt sense using symbolization be in the form of words, images, and gestures. - List and demonstrate the ways a clinician can help a client do the same. - Describe and demonstrate how to make one’s felt sense experience into a ‘something’ i.e. something deeply angry and sad, enabling students to have a relationship with their experience rather than just being it. - Demonstrate and list how to help a client make their experience into a ‘something’. - Describe and demonstrate how to guide one’s self internally to open a felt sense by finding the right distance from the experience and keeping it company with an open and gentle attitude. - Demonstrate and describe how to help a client find the right distance from their experience and keep it company with an open and gentle attitude. - Demonstrate and describe how to ‘clear a space’ putting various concerns and feelings at a distance to give perspective. - Demonstrate and list how to help create forward shifts in one’s own experiential process by using different experiential avenues to open the felt sense such as feeling, proprioception, location, movement, sound, memory, and images. - Demonstrate and describe how to help client’s process to move forward using the different experiential avenues listed above.
    [Show full text]
  • Focusing-Oriented Therapy and Complex Trauma Training Program
    FOCUSING-ORIENTED THERAPY AND COMPLEX TRAUMA TRAINING PROGRAM What is Focusing Oriented Therapy? Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT) is a body-centered and person-centered approach to healing, developed three decades ago at the University of Chicago by Dr. Eugene Gendlin. Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT) allows clients total control of the pace and the direction of their healing journey. It is particularly effective in the treatment and healing of complex trauma caused by accident, sexual, physical, emotional abuse or neglect. FOT has been especially well received in Aboriginal communities because of its humanistic, person-centred approach to healing which reflects the core values of respect and non-interference. ***For more information about FOT and Complex Trauma visit www.fotcomplextrauma.com*** Who Should Apply? The program is intended for counsellors and therapists who are interested in developing advanced clinical treatment techniques and strategies essential to healing of traumatic life situations presented by many clients. FOT is particularly helpful to counsellors and therapists who work with Residential School Survivors, with addictions, and with survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. The program especially benefits counsellors and therapists who work in Aboriginal agencies and/or communities or in various other cross-cultural situations/settings. This program is taught from an Aboriginal framework and perspective. Program Modules MODULE 1: Complex Trauma MODULE 2: Basic Focusing-Oriented Therapy MODULE 3: Intermediate Focusing-Oriented Therapy MODULE 4: Advanced Focusing-Oriented Therapy MODULE 5: Depression, Grieving, and Complex Trauma MODULE 6: Clinical Spirituality and Complex Trauma MODULE 7: Dreams and Complex Trauma Please Note: Some programs are 10 Modules in total.
    [Show full text]
  • Cognitive Analytic Therapy for Psychosis: a Case Series Peter J
    1 Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (2018) © 2018 The Authors. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society www.wileyonlinelibrary.com Cognitive Analytic Therapy for psychosis: A case series Peter J. Taylor1* , Alex Perry2, Paul Hutton3, Ranil Tan4, Naomi Fisher5, Chiara Focone6, Diane Griffiths7 and Claire Seddon7 1Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK 2Community Links, Leeds, UK 3School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, UK 4Leeds and York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, West Yorkshire, UK 5Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Lancaster, UK 6NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK 7Liverpool Early Intervention Service, Mersey Care NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK Objectives. Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is an effective psychological interven- tion for several different mental health conditions. However, whether it is acceptable, safe, and beneficial for people with psychosis remains unclear, as is the feasibility of providing and evaluating it within a research context. The aim of this study was to begin to address these questions and to obtain for the first time a rich and detailed understanding of the experience of receiving CAT for psychosis. Design. A mixed-methods case series design. Method. Seven individuals who experienced non-affective psychosis received CAT. They completed assessments at the start of CAT, 16 weeks, and 28 weeks post-baseline. Qualitative interviews were completed with four individuals following completion of or withdrawal from therapy. Results. Six participants attended at least four sessions of therapy and four went on to complete therapy. There were no serious adverse events, and self-reported adverse experiences were minimal.
    [Show full text]
  • Position Statement on the Routine Administration of Cognitive
    POSITION STATEMENT ON THE ROUTINE ADMINISTRATION OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR PSYCHOSIS AS THE STANDARD OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TREATMENT FOR PSYCHOSIS Sarah L. Kopelovich, PhD* Monica Basco-Ramirez, PhD Meaghan Stacy, PhD Harry Sivec, PhD * Dr. Kopelovich received staff support from Jennifer Blank, BA at the University of Washington. 2 Table of Contents Preface .............................................................................................................................................4 Section 1: Psychosis and the Current Model of Care .................................................................5 Section 2: Establishing Recovery, Flourishing, Personal Fulfillment, and Community Inclusion as Care Priorities .....................................................................................9 Section 3: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What is it and Why is it Needed? .......................10 Section 3.1: What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? ........................................................11 Section 3.2: What is CBT for psychosis (CBTp)? .............................................................13 Section 3.3: What does the empirical evidence suggest about the benefits of CBTp? .............................................................................................................15 Section 4: How Does CBTp Advance the Mission of Healthcare Systems? ............................18 Claim 1: CBTp aligns with the mission and values of healthcare Organizations ....................................................................................................................19
    [Show full text]
  • Journal CAT 2 PAGES 15
    Zoroglu, S. Sar, V. Tuzun, U. Tutkun, H. & Savas, H. (2002). Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 56, 551–556. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1819.2002.01053.x. Service User Experiences of CAT Diagrams: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis KIMBERLEY TAPLIN1 BETH GREENHILL2 CLAIRE SEDDON3 and JAMES MCGUIRE4 Abstract Background: Formulation is an essential tool in psychological therapy. However, there is a paucity of research evidencing the efficacy, credibility and experience of formulation. Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) uses a specific form of diagrammatic formulation. Aims: This study aims to explore service-user experiences of the SDR. Method: Seven participants who had an SDR and who completed 1 Mersey Care therapy within three to twelve months were interviewed using a NHS Trust semi-structured interview/topic guide. Data were analysed using 2 University of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Liverpool Results: Four superordinate themes emerged from the data: 3 Mersey Care ‘Chaos to clarity (a process of meaning making)’; ‘The change NHS Trust process’; ‘Relational dynamics’; and ‘Focus on treatment options’. 4 University of Conclusions: Results suggest the SDR facilitates understanding Liverpool and reduces blame. Participants advocated for CAT as an early *Requests for intervention. The visual and physical aspects of the SDR were reprints should important in developing ownership of the formulation. be addressed to Dr Kimberley Collaboration was crucial to the development of the therapeutic Taplin, Early relationship and promoted a sense of empowerment, hope and Intervention meaningful person-centred change. For participants in this study Service, Baird CAT was regarded as a preferable treatment compared to CBT and House, Liverpool medical frameworks of understanding human distress.
    [Show full text]
  • Future-Oriented Interventions for Teen Counselling 1
    Running head: FUTURE-ORIENTED INTERVENTIONS FOR TEEN COUNSELLING 1 HOW I’D LIKE MY LIFE TO BE: FUTURE-ORIENTED INTERVENTIONS FOR TEEN COUNSELLING by Carey Chambers A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Counselling (MC) City University of Seattle, Vancouver BC, Canada Site March 25, 2016 APPROVED BY Steve Conway, Psy.D., R.C.C., Thesis Supervisor Colin Sanders, Ph.D., R.C.C., Faculty Reader Division of Arts and Sciences FUTURE-ORIENTED INTERVENTIONS FOR TEEN COUNSELLING 2 Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess empirical and theoretical support for the use of future- oriented interventions for teen counselling. A review of the literature found three foundational points supporting their use: teens face common developmental tasks and concerns that require future-oriented thought, yet they often lack future focus; future-oriented interventions can direct an individual’s conscious attention to future matters, and; future orientation is associated with wellbeing, though the mechanism is not well understood, and the relationship depends on factors such as temporal bias and temporal attitude. The review confirmed the study’s central hypothesis that single-session, future-oriented interventions might have multiple, beneficial uses in teen counselling, especially for counsellors who work from the theoretical standpoint of positive psychology, time perspective theory, or future directed therapy. The review also revealed a number of key findings that help guide the selection, development, and evaluation of future- oriented interventions for teen counselling. Based on these findings, the study identified six future-oriented interventions that may be appropriate for teen counselling, and proposed one new intervention for further study: How I’d Like My Life To Be.
    [Show full text]
  • Compassion Focused Therapy to Counteract Shame, Self-Criticism and Isolation
    J Contemp Psychother (2015) 45:89–98 DOI 10.1007/s10879-014-9286-8 ORIGINAL PAPER Compassion Focused Therapy to Counteract Shame, Self-Criticism and Isolation. A Replicated Single Case Experimental Study for Individuals With Social Anxiety K. Boersma • A. Ha˚kanson • E. Salomonsson • I. Johansson Published online: 6 November 2014 Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014 Abstract Most forms of psychological distress encom- Introduction pass both the relation to the self in the form of shame and self-criticism, as well as the relation to others in the form of Most forms of psychological distress encompass both the distance and isolation. These are often longstanding and relation to the self in the form of shame and self-criticism, pervasive problems that permeate a wide range of psy- as well as the relation to others in the form of distance and chological disorders and are difficult to treat. This paper isolation. Shame is a painful self-conscious affect associ- focuses on how problems with shame and self-criticism can ated with the perception of having a personal attribute, be addressed using compassion focused therapy (CFT). In a characteristic or behavior that others find unattractive or pilot study we tested the effectiveness of CFT with a single undesirable and that may result in rejection or being put case experimental design in six individuals suffering from down (Gilbert 1998). Included in a shameful experience are social anxiety. The aim was to establish whether CFT lead oftentimes self-critical and self-attacking cognitions (Gil- to increases in self-compassion, and reductions in shame, bert and Miles 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • WHAT IS FOCUSING and FOCUSING-ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY? by James E
    WHAT IS FOCUSING AND FOCUSING-ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY? by James E. Strohl Focusing is an innovative technique developed by Eugene Gendlin in the 1960’s. The earliest origins of Focusing are found in Gendlin’s collaborative relationship in the 1950’s with Carl Rogers, the Founder of Client-Centered Psychotherapy. By 1970 Gendlin was recognized by the American Psychological Association as the Distinguished Professional Psychologist of the Year for his contribution to experiential psychotherapy. Early on, Gendlin and his colleagues studied why some clients succeeded in therapy and many others did not. They found that improvement in therapy had very little to do with a therapist’s therapeutic orientation, specific techniques, or with the type of problem being addressed. Instead, the important element of positive change had to do with “how” clients processed their experiences internally. With further study, Gendlin eventually identified the specific internal activities that facilitate successful problem resolution and positive change. Gendlin also discovered that these internal processing skills were teachable. Over many years, Gendlin refined the specific instructions needed to teach people to perform the crucial components of this natural, effective method of internal processing (Gendlin, 1982). Because this process allows one to bring an unclear, vague, inner sense of a problem or situation into clearer focus, Gendlin named it Focusing. Focusing is then a way of approaching a problem or situation with a special internal processing strategy that increases the chances of a positive outcome. Focusing allows access to deeper levels of awareness, wisdom, and self-guidance that reside inside each of us. Through an easily learned, step-by step process, Focusing teaches how to turn our attention inside our bodies where we carry all our personal experiences, memories, sensations, emotions and feelings.
    [Show full text]
  • Applied Logotherapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Men and Women United States Army Veterans
    Applied Logotherapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Men and Women United States Army Veterans by Jenaya Rose Surcamp A PROJECT submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Public Health Honors Scholar Presented February 10, 2015 Commencement June 2015 AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Jenaya Surcamp for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Public Health presented on February 10, 2015. Title: Applied Logotherapy for the Treatment of Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder in United States Men and Women Army Veterans. Abstract approved: ______________________________________________________ Dr. Ray Tricker This project explores the use of Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy for the treatment of post- traumatic stress disorder in a population of men and women United States Army veterans. It explores the literature surrounding this treatment, specifically Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, and argues a clinical application for this therapy could offer the greatest relief for sufferers of this mental health condition. With the application of this treatment in this clinical setting there could be further applications of this treatment in the future within more diverse populations. Key Words: Logotherapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, United States Army, Veterans, Treatment Corresponding e-mail address: [email protected] ©Copyright by Jenaya Surcamp February 10, 2015 All Rights Reserved Applied
    [Show full text]
  • Resource-Focused EMDR: Integration of Ego State Therapy, Alternating Bilateral Stimulation, and Art Therapy
    Reprint from the March 1999 EMDRIA Newsletter Resource-Focused EMDR: Integration of Ego State Therapy, Alternating Bilateral Stimulation, and Art Therapy By Shirley Jean Schmidt, MA, LPC EMDRIA-Approved Consultant I conceptualize EMDR as the process of linking the trauma from one part of the brain to a solution in another part of the brain, to reach an adaptive resolution. The standard EMDR protocol proposes accomplishing this by focusing heavily on the trauma. Most of my clients are adult survivors of childhood trauma and their tolerance of a trauma-focused protocol is often low. I wondered if the same adaptive resolution could be accomplished by focusing primarily on the part of the brain holding the solution rather than the trauma. I recently began developing a resource-focused protocol, which borrows from Sandra Paulsen’s (1994, 1995, & 1996) suggestions for integrating EMDR with ego state therapy, and Andrew Leeds’ (1997) protocol for resource development and resource installation (RD/RI). This new protocol puts significant emphasis on developing and strengthening the felt sense of well-being connected to resource ego states before EMDR processing, and maintenance of the sense of well-being during EMDR processing. It involves using the clients’ drawings of resource ego states and traumatized ego states (drawn with the dominant and non- dominant hand) as anchors for ego state processing, and as the focal points in eye movements (EMs). In this protocol, traumatic material is elicited only when sufficient internal resources, represented by drawings, are displayed in front of the client. The intention of this approach is to minimize risk of affect overwhelm and maximize the probability that the part of the brain holding the trauma will link to the part of the brain holding the solution.
    [Show full text]
  • A Manual of the Experiential Method By
    Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy: A Manual of the Experiential Method by Eugene T. Gendlin (The Guilford Press, 1996) Available from The Focusing Institute’s on-line store (www.focusing.org) CHAPTER 2: Dead Ends Two kinds of dead ends can happen in psychotherapy: The first occurs when the therapy consists only of interpretation and inference without an experiential process. The second dead end happens when there are quite concrete emotions, but they are repeated over and over. In this chapter I discuss these dead ends further. I call the first a dead-end discussion. Dead-End Discussion At a party you may see an attractive stranger on the other side of the room. You want to approach this person but find it impossibly difficult. If you do approach the person anyway your actions will be awkward and you will feel the lack of your usual abilities. You might think, "My superego is too strong. It still identifies with my father who prohibited my sexuality when I was small. Now that I am not small, my superego should stop identifying with his prohibition, but it doesn't" (Freudian vocabulary). Or you might say, "I am afraid of being rejected. It's just an old fear. If I am rejected, I will be no worse off than if I go home without trying! I ought to try" (common sense vocabulary). But using this vocabulary and this logic does not change anything because you are engaged in a dead-end discussion. Your intellectual interpretation does not change your hesitation or awkwardness. Therapists may draw people into dead-end discussions; we all do it at times.
    [Show full text]