Letters to the Editor
-
Cognitive Restructuring
The therapist said: "What's the worst thing that could happen if that comes true?"
I'm familiar with the technique cited by BeatnikBob. It's part of an anti-anxiety therapy called "cognitive restructuring," which is basically a 50-cent expression that means "changing the way you think about stuff." You take your worst worry and ask yourself, "What's the worst that could happen if that came true?" Then you try to answer the question as honestly as you can. The goal is to get the patient to realize that: a) his worst fears are unlikely to come true; and b) even if his fears do materialize, it's possible to cope, adjust, and get on with the business of living.
I used to worry about losing my job all the time. Never mind the fact that I've been with the firm 13 years, or the fact that in all that time, I've never received even one negative performance review. I mentioned this to my therapist, and she asked, "What's the worst thing that could happen if that comes true?" I answered, "Well, I guess I would have to go out and find another job." She replied, "And what would be so terrible about that?" I think that was the moment when I finally began to see the light. I still worry about stuff, but nowadays I don't allow my worries to take hold of me the way they used to.