Reduction of deterministic thinking among cancer patients as a new method to increase psychosocial adjustments

ABSTRACT

Deterministic thinking is one of the major cognitive distortions. This type of thinking ignores any possibility in making a conclusion about events. Any consequence of an event may be thought as 2x2= 4. Equality is a dominant factor among all conclusions of this kind of distortion. Distortion emerges in cognitive rigidity in the mind and could be the source of all distortions. Cognitive rigidity is a main reason for depression and other psychosocial maladjustments. Challenging distortion was discussed as a new method for improving psychological conditions of cancer patients. Adapting the cultural base of the method, distortion is explained as a destructive factor which ruins the balance of fear and hope, the two important signs of faith in Islamic perspective. The consequence of challenging distortion to reduce depression and anxiety has been explained based on the Islamic Culture. For the first time, in this study, it was proposed that how this method can be used in the treatment of psychological disorders of cancer patients