Discussion Question: Is a problem still a problem if you don't think it's a problem?
Discussion Question: Is a problem still a problem if you don't think it's a problem?
I think not, since everything is a matter of perception, if you perceive something as not a problem, it is not.
@Pls What happens the moment just after you perceive it 'not as a problem' , do you think next for the solution( on practical and realistic norm I am asking?) or simply let the problem be perceived as 'not a problem' in the faculty of mind.
@Laura This is the basis of CBT, when you cannot change a situation, or a problem, the best way to deal with it is through realistic retional thoughts, which we can change, and so the problem fades away as we accept it and possible, defeat it. Amazing questions Laura.
If I think that way yes if I Chand the way think I will change the way I feel
Maybe I am missing some situations, but... no.
Our perception is what makes something a problem (that's why saying "but I was in the same situation and it was OK" does not make sense, because different people want different things in their lives). For example infertility is not a problem unless you are trying to get pregnant :-) you are actually not even going to notice.
Just recognize it for what it is. A difference in perception. What may be a problem for one may be something different for you.
@Laura In additiont to what I said, we can change our feeling about the problem through changing our thoughts when the situation cannot be changed. So we cannot really remove the problem fully but we can accept it so that it doesnt become a barrier or a problem to success. This also related with positive thoughts vs negative thoughts because with positive thoughts you get more options, psychologically, and negative thoughts always make you choose to run or hide from the problem. Positive thoughts are so powerful that the mind can utilise them to control how we feel in a positive way about the situation that we cannot change. Negative thoughts always bring us down and do no good at all, while potive thoughts can open doors to success through probability. So the change in processing of how we see something or feel about it is through our thought patterns, we can percieve something to be good, when others see it as bad, This is the basis of many psychiatric disorders and therapeutic ways to help treat and cope with depression and anxiety. Our perception of the world is basicly using the past to try predicting the future. We can use meditation and thought control to block the negative thoughts and stay in the present moment, only in the present moment can we process everything we see by pure means rather by being distorted by the past. So in conclusion, a problem is not a problem if you "think" it is not a problem.
Yes because it can still negatively affect you, others, society, the environment, etc. Reality is not measured by one person's feelings.
@Phthalo I agree, something that you're doing may not be a problem to you, but it may be a problem to others... And I also think in some cases a problem now may not obviously a problem as it may not have any obvious effects, but a few years down the road the long-term effects may become apparent, only then we would see it as a problem :o it's like when fuel was discovered, people didn't think it would run out and hence didn't worry about wasting and overconsumption, but it doesn't change the fact that it's been running out ever since we started using it :o
I'm not sure if you can phrase the question like that, since it violates the law of non-contradiction. A problem cannot be at the same time a problem, and not a problem. So no, if you pose that question like that, it's not even logically possible to have a problem and not see it as a problem at the same time.
ok let us be more concrete as per Laura question -a person who is a functioning alcoholic will often simply deny they have a drinking problem, pointing to how well they function in their job and relationships and so what if he takes acouple of drinks and acts harshly to his family.
He says there is no problem- he is comfortable with who he is and how he acts but there is a serious problem here
i would ask that the pople who wrote that if the person doesnt think there is a problem then there is no problem to rethink what they are saying
@2genpoet
I don't know if there are alcoholics who don't have any (perceived) problem. I doubt it. I think there must be reasons for drinking too much.
For example I know someone with social anxiety + drinking problem (in my opinion they started drinking because of anxiety). They somehow perceive the anxiety and are unhappy about that... or not, they don't perceive the anxiety.
Their problems are (as perceived): My colleagues are talking behind my back. My parents think that (something bad about me). My partner is looking at other people and surely finds them sexually attractive. Professors in the college are rude and think (something bad about me). My parents and my partner are ignoring these problems and just blame me (and wine).
if we're talking about mentally ill people then yes, it is still a problem, person is just not aware of their actions but that doesn't mean that they don't have a problem.
example: anorexic girl thinks that starving herself isn't a problem. is it a real and actual problem ? of course it is
