How to detect if you are in a mental vicious circle

Our mind tends to repeat, to return to the known, to what gives us comfort, to repeat behaviors that even if they hurt us, we put them back into practice. It is important to know and observe ourselves to know what is doing us wrong and to produce healthy changes to move away from that area that causes us suffering.

Being inside a vicious circle It implies doing the same act over and over again, repeating a scene, a situation, obtaining the same or similar results. This causes the sensation of lack of exit, absence of alternatives, inability to choose something different. To be in a vicious circle is to feel at a dead end.

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Breaking the vicious cycle of the mind

“The same thing always happens to me”, “I'm not lucky”, “Why try it if I am not going to be able to?”: These beliefs limit us and stop us from building new paths as we develop as people. In general, this is caused by low self-esteem, lack of security and self-confidence when making decisions, or by bad past experiences that

hinder the present or cause fear of the future.

We record the discomfort and illness and suspect that they are linked to a certain situation (substance use, exhausting work, toxic relationships) But many times, instead of trying to solve the problem, this discomfort paralyzes us and causes us to enter into complaints, worry, confusion, a feeling of empty. The vicious circle we are going through is invisible; we feel the unpleasant effects, but it is difficult to stop to observe ourselves and analyze the whole situation.

We complain, we suffer, we get upset, without realizing that to get out of that harmful repetition We have to make decisions that allow us to break out of that circle that generates wear and tear and suffering.

The types of vicious circle

We will propose 3 forms of vicious circle. Knowing their existence will allow you to detect them and get out of their trap.

1. Turning inside a tiring job

If our work does not satisfy us, does not motivate us or we suffer abuse in it, we probably have feelings of frustration, helplessness, reluctance, lack of recognition and opportunities to grow professionally. This causes us to find it difficult to start the working day, that we hope that Monday does not arrive and that we wait with all our desire for the time to flee from there.

We perceive the discomfort caused by the work we do or the conditions in which the work environment occurs, but if we are in the circle we will probably turn in it with complaints, anger and frustrations, but without doing something to change that situation.

A great obstacle to deciding to break this dynamic is fear. In this case, we can become afraid of starting a new job search and not getting a job, fear of find a job with more adverse conditions than the current ones, fear of earning less money and living longer tightly.

There are no magic or unique recipes, but one of the tools to implement in this situation is be encouraged to make the decision to seek new job opportunities and set specific goals, with a deadline. For example, taking the time to research job openings, using word of mouth to tell those close to us that we are interested in getting a new job, not acting impulsively and without think. Making a decision takes time and different steps, the first is to cheer up.

• You may be interested: "Burnout: how to detect it and take action"

2. Spin inside a complicated break

When you already feel that you are undertaking the difficult process of forgetting your ex and you realize that it was a relationship that did not do you well... this longing reappears! Just at that key moment, where you remembered the negative things, you got angry, you said that it was over, a message arrives or a shy and suggestive like on Facebook and your emotional reaction to this indicates that the seed of that mind trap is still there.

You wonder why not give it another chance, after all the relationship was not sooo bad... Or yes, but hey, it's easier to go back to the known, to repeat old stories that, although we suspect what results could have, we put them together anyway, perhaps with the hope that this time it will be different. But chances are, as long as we do the same (and let them do the same to us) the results will sadly be the same.

Probably what hinders us to break this circle is the fear of loneliness and not to be loved again, or to feel dependent on the other person, believing that without him / her one cannot live well. The confusion between love and need is never good.

A love relationship is a relationship of respect, trust and freedom. Being in love is not synonymous with being enslaved. If you feel like this, decide what is best for you, look for healthy relationships and your mind and body will thank you.

• Related article: "The 5 problems of love breakups, and how to deal with them"

3. Spin into a substance addiction

Substance addictions are a health problem caused by the compulsive use of drugs capable of producing dependence, both physical and psychological. The vicious circle is installed when consumption becomes excessive, uncontrolled, compulsive. That is, consume to consume, consume because it is needed, because the body or the head asks for it.

Stopping using on your own is very difficult and almost impossible for the addicted person. Containment and specialized treatment is required to break this dangerous and even deadly cycle.

After compulsive consumption, the effects of withdrawal come, with which it becomes necessary to resume consumption. After this, the addicted person is likely to feel guilty, frustrated, or angry with himself. But if the circle is not broken, after these feelings and thoughts, you can return to consumption again and again, instead of reflecting and deciding to change.

• Related article: "Types of drugs: know their characteristics and effects"

Reorient ourselves towards healthy living

Staying spinning over and over in a circle does not allow us personal growth or emotional well-being. By detecting our vicious circle, we can get out of the complaint and wonder why what happens to us what happens to us, to be able to start to walk a different path in a process of change very interesting.