Mad River Behavioral Health

 Optical illusions exploit the way our brains process visual information, leading to a perception that doesn't match the actual reality. Here's how they work: 1. Brain's Interpretation: Our brains constantly try to make sense of the world around us. They use past experiences, assumptions, and shortcuts to interpret visual input quickly. 2. Conflicting Cues: Optical illusions present conflicting or ambiguous visual cues. This could involve lines, shapes, colors, or shadows arranged in a way that tricks the brain. 3. Misinterpretation: The brain, trying to reconcile these conflicting cues, makes an interpretation that is incorrect, resulting in a distorted or illusory perception. Types of Illusions:  * Ambiguous Figures: Images that can be perceived in multiple ways, like the famous "My Wife and My Mother-in-Law" illusion.  * Distorting Illusions: Illusions that distort our perception of size, length, or shape, such as the Müller-Lyer illusion.  * Paradoxical Illusi...

Which cognitive distortions do you do? I used one in my previous post. I didn’t see it when I was thinking and typing. I saw it when I went back to the post later.  Oooops.  Cognitive distortions just sort of slip into our thinking process, like little ninjas, insidiously disrupting the clarity and accuracy of our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.  Cognitive distortions impact our perceptions and decision-making.  Cognitive distortions are common thought patterns that can lead to negative emotions, behaviors, outcomes.  Here are some common cognitive distortions:  1. All-or-Nothing Thinking (Black-and-White Thinking): Seeing situations as either completely positive or negative, with no gray areas.  2. Overgeneralization: Drawing broad conclusions based on one or a few isolated events.  3. Mental Filtering: Focusing only on negative information while ignoring positive aspects.  4. Discounting the Positive: Minimizing or dismissing positive expe...