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Looking at Root
Problems
12 Irrational Ideas That Cause and Sustain Neurosis
Rational therapy holds that certain core irrational ideas, which have been
clinically observed, are at the root of most neurotic disturbance. They
are:
1. The idea that it is a dire necessity for adults to be loved by
significant others for almost everything they do -- instead of their
concentrating on their own self-respect, on winning approval for practical
purposes, and on loving rather than on being loved.
2. The idea that certain acts are awful or wicked, and that people who
perform such acts should be severely damned -- instead of the idea that
certain acts are self-defeating or antisocial, and that people who perform
such acts are behaving stupidly, ignorantly, or neurotically, and would be
better helped to change. People's poor behaviors do not make them rotten
individuals.
3. The idea that it is horrible when things are not the way we like them
to be -- instead of the idea that it is too bad, that we would better try
to change or control bad conditions so that they become more satisfactory,
and, if that is not possible, we had better temporarily accept and
gracefully lump their existence.
4. The idea that human misery is invariably externally caused and is
forced on us by outside people and events -- instead of the idea that
neurosis is largely caused by the view that we take of unfortunate
conditions.
5. The idea that if something is or may be dangerous or fearsome we should
be terribly upset and endlessly obsess about it -- instead of the idea
that one would better frankly face it and render it non-dangerous and,
when that is not possible, accept the inevitable.
6. The idea that it is easier to avoid than to face life difficulties and
self-responsibilities -- instead of the idea that the so-called easy way
is usually much harder in the long run.
7. The idea that we absolutely need something other or stronger or greater
than yourself on which to rely -- instead of the idea that it is better to
take the risks of thinking and acting less dependently.
8. The idea that we should be thoroughly competent, intelligent, and
achieving in all possible respects -- instead of the idea that we would
better do rather than always need to do well and accept ourself as a quite
imperfect creature, who has general human limitations and specific
fallibilities.
9. The idea that because something once strongly affected our life, it
should indefinitely affect it -- instead of the idea that we can learn
from our past experiences but not be overly-attached to or prejudiced by
them.
10. The idea that we must have certain and perfect control over things --
instead of the idea that the world is full of probability and chance and
that we can still enjoy life despite this.
11. The idea that human happiness can be achieved by inertia and inaction
-- instead of the idea that we tend to be happiest when we are vitally
absorbed in creative pursuits, or when we are devoting ourselves to people
or projects outside ourselves.
12. The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that
we cannot help feeling disturbed about things -- instead of the idea that
we have real control over our destructive emotions if we choose to work at
changing the musturbatory hypotheses which we often employ to create them.
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