Does anyone else struggle with pure black and white thinking?

spacedog

Idk it's just manifesting in everything I do and even the way I think - I mean being most recently even with my drinking either I don't do it at all or I get completely fucking obliterated lol. Or even with college when I was there either I would be working so hard and believing I was some sort of prodigy or just not even trying or showing up and seeing myself as completely useless and that I should've given it up. I don't know where this has all come from

Orchid059

Hi @spacedog I hear what you are saying, black and white thinking can be very contradicting and confusing because it is often all or nothing. How you feel is completely valid and I can understand how frustrating these hot and cold feelings are for you.

Let's try and break it down so we can support you through this. Have you noticed when you're at either extreme if there is a particular environment or situation that might bring it on? Sometimes there might not be any explanation for this and that is completely okay too. Have you considered mentioning this to a mental health professional also, as they might be able to best provide you with some useful strategies with managing these thoughts.

I know it is so difficult in the moment to recognise, but also remember the world isn't always black and white there are many shades of colour out there which means your thoughts are allowed to drift depending on how you feel. However, hopefully by broadening your perspective, it can help you reduce the hold that the binary thought process has on you.

You're doing so well to reach out for support so keep doing so. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Former Member

I struggle with this too. My parents always said there was 'no grey area' with me and my opinion. I used to argue it when I was younger but now I see it in myself tbh. There's no middle ground with me and when I do something I either give it 100% or 0%.

For me, it's a part of my ADHD (I think). but I agree with everything @Orchid059 said above there and it's something worth mentioning to a mental health professional or your gp.

You're not alone. How are you coping with it all?

jayne26

Hi @spacedog I think a lot of us can relate to what you're saying. Sometimes it is difficult to find a middle ground with certain things. You're not alone in this and it can help to consider what might have brought this on. Can you think of any possible triggers or anything that may have sparked this kind of thinking?

Let us know

Former Member

I get you @spacedog. For me it most often manifests in finishing tasks(or school assignments). Paired with executive functioning issues, i ether cant do the task at all or i will do the task for 3 hours because i think i have to finish it in one sitting. before there was also an issue with me thinking I don’t deserve to rest.

When I happen to get caught in this perfectionist cycle, what i do is: when hyperfocus ends, and I start to feel all the consequences of accidentally neglecting my needs, i tell myself that it’s fine that something is not perfect at the point when im tired. And I don’t need to spend 110% of my recourses, because i will burn out and won’t be able to do anything.

if you struggle with perfectionism, you should really try and tell your brain that it’s important to rest. And try to rationalise why is it (not) important to do everything perfectly, it might help to see if the struggle is rational.