Do not repeat the same mistakes

-Ask the Expert-

Question:

Hi, I write here to ask something that is related to the creative process of the human mind. I would like to know why we, as human beings, often live multiple times the similar painful situations, and repeat the same mistakes throughout life.

Why in our life situations are repeated over and over? How can we be a bit more creative within our existence, so that we won’t live the same bad situations again?

Answer:

Dear Monica, what you are asking me is very hard to explain. Actually, it is the main reason of why people ask help to psychotherapists. However, to start my explanation, I will give you a definition of neurosis. This term is used to define a stereotypical and rigid way used to react to certain situations that can be related to an internal cognitive process, or to an external stimulus. Clearly, this rigid reaction of our mind can be explained in multiple ways, depending on which theoretical approach we decide to use.

For example, according to psychoanalysis, neurosis is the subconscious conflict of two thoughts, coming from the ego. According to the behavioral approach, neurosis is a learned behavior caused by the environment’s reinforcements (in this case the neurotic reaction will keep existing regardless of its original cause). According to Cognitivism it is a wrong evaluation process etc..

Dear Monica, as you can see we can use multiple ways to interpret this human problematic. Which one is the right one? I believe that there is no best answer, they all have a descriptive value, and they are all usable based on the specific clinical situation.

There is something that can be done on psychophysical level, though. In fact, recent researches on the functions of the human brain (and with this I am talking about the mind as well, since we cannot talk anymore of division between mind and body) are showing us the various processes that take shape. These researches are telling us something also on the experiences of perceptive rigidity, so on what make us repeat our “mistakes” over and over. In synthesis the answer that these researches are giving us is this: the human brain develops rigid reaction ways as a consequence of an excessive cortical activation. In other words, the problem is connected to anxiety.

Dear Monica, at this point I have to tell you what you can do. As a first thing I suggest you to begin to regularly do whatever practice that allows you to lower the psychophysical experience of anxiety. There are many ways: meditation, physical exercise, gardening, relaxation techniques, autohypnosis etc..

If with time you see that the problem did not change, I suggest you to contact a professional to begin, with him, a specific journey tailored on your personal situation.

I hope I have been of help, and I wish you good luck.

Answer:

Paolo Chellini

Question:

Monica, 25 years old

Publication Date: 12/18/2007

Check out the original article here