Cognitive fusion

Cognitive fusion is a state in which a person treats thoughts as literal reality rather than as mental events.

Definition

In ACT, cognitive fusion is one of the processes of psychological rigidity. When we are fused with thought, its content begins to directly control emotions and behavior, even if the action takes us away from values. The opposite is not fighting the thought, but defusion: noticing that the thought is a thought, not an order.

Key ideas

Missing key ideas.

Practice and life

When a difficult thought comes up, add the phrase before it: "I have the thought that..." See if this gives you some distance before reacting.

Common misunderstanding

It is a mistake to try to eliminate all difficult thoughts. It is also a mistake to believe every thought just because it comes with a strong emotion.

Questions for self-reflection

No questions for self-reflection.

Sources

No sources.