Negative Feedback Loops
The negative feedback loops
Today I wonder and reflect that every single one of my clients in their own narrative (without any prompting or leading from myself) have used the phrase “negative feedback loop” .... Is this trending in the online world of terms people are using to describe their thought patterns now?
It appears that certain terms come and go quite frequently in this trendy mental health world of online self-diagnosis that has risen quite substantially over the past few years with the introduction and popularity of the Reddit platform. Humans can now compare their inner world and dialogue to others’ inner world and find either they feel more “normal” or in fact, the opposite the “I am crazy” confirmed.
I guess the question that arises: Is our subjective experience being led by others influence without us even being conscious of this taking place?
Prior to this week, it was the term "Gaslighting” that was on the uptick. Clients would seek out assistance with others in their life that were gaslighting them or even that they have been gaslighting themselves.
Much like the word “toxic”, words trend in and out of the mental health conversations whether it be with therapist/client, family, close friends, or loved ones. I find it interesting as a society we utilize such words and hold on to them like they have always meant something to us.
So, what is a “negative feedback loop” we ask?
To my understanding, it is that either a thought, feeling, or action created in our body in turn creates more of the same and starts this lopping. For example, one may have a thought of “Geez I am so stupid, how could I have forgot that thing?” In the next moment it becomes even easier to continue to degrade ourselves or continue down this path or thinking and then feeling we are stupid, or worthless and countless other words we use to put ourselves down. Speaking to ourselves this way is not only negative, yet “violent” in fact.
Breaking negative feedback loops can start the process of self-compassion and learning to let it go and not hold on to patterns or habits that are unhealthy.
