Decentering
OverlapThe capacity to observe one's own thoughts and feelings as passing mental events rather than literal facts or commands — a core mechanism targeted by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Example: Segal, Williams, and Teasdale built Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy around strengthening decentering specifically to prevent depression relapse, on the theory that it's not negative thoughts themselves but automatically treating them as true that drives rumination back into a depressive spiral.
What is decentering?
The capacity to observe one's own thoughts and feelings as passing mental events rather than literal facts or commands — a core mechanism targeted by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Why does decentering matter for preventing depression relapse?
Segal, Williams, and Teasdale built Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy around strengthening decentering specifically to prevent depression relapse, on the theory that it's not negative thoughts themselves but automatically treating them as true that drives rumination back into a depressive spiral.