The predictive text function on my iPhone lately has been making an error. It reads the word “so” and assumes that I want to write “Sophie.” I’ve corrected it many times, but it sees “so” and stubbornly assumes that I am writing to or about my friend Sophie.
Our brain offers its own “predictive text” function when it makes assumptions based on our past experiences. Sometimes, this works very well. When we encounter a hot stove burner, for example, we don’t have to write a pros and cons list about whether we should place our hand there. Our brain quickly computes that a hot stove burner is dangerous and should not be touched. Thank you, automatic thinking!
However, just as with our iPhones, there are times when our brain’s attempts to shortcut do not serve us well. This post explores how certain types of automatic thinking can increase distress surrounding chronic illness.
When we exhibit attentional bias, we pay selective attention to specific information, failing to place that information in a broader context (Savioni & Triberti, 2020). Many people living with chronic illness experience a hyper-vigilance around symptoms. We are very attuned to our bodies, noticing every ache and pain.........