Okay, here’s my take on a blog post about “Mike Abrams The New CBT: Clinical Evolutionary Psychology”, written from a personal practice perspective, and following your guidelines (especially trying to mimic that example!):
Alright, so I’ve been digging into this “New CBT” thing by Mike Abrams. It’s called “Clinical Evolutionary Psychology,” and I wanted to see what it was all about. I mean, regular CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) has been around forever, so what makes this new?
First, I grabbed the book. Actually, I got the audiobook ’cause, you know, multitasking. I listened to it while I was doing the dishes, walking the dog, even grocery shopping. Gotta make the most of that time, right?
My First Experiment
I decided to start small. Abrams talks a lot about how our brains are basically wired for the Stone Age, not for modern life. So, all these anxieties and weird reactions we have? They’re kinda like… leftover software glitches from when we were dodging saber-tooth tigers.
My “glitch”? I get super stressed about public speaking. Even just thinking about giving a presentation makes my heart race. So, I tried applying Abrams’ idea.
- I stopped beating myself up about being nervous. I mean, my ancestors probably got nervous facing a pack of wolves, right? It’s a survival thing!
- I focused on the “here and now,” not the “what ifs.” Instead of imagining the audience judging me, I concentrated on my breathing, on my notes, on the actual words I was saying.
- I practiced in the morning, I practiced in the evening, and I also practiced during work breaks.
It wasn’t magic. I still felt nervous before my last presentation at work. But it was… different. It was more like, “Okay, my body is doing its ancient alarm thing, but I’m safe. I can handle this.” I didn’t freeze up. I didn’t stammer. I actually… did pretty good!
The Results (So Far)
I’m not saying I’m a public speaking guru now. But I feel like I have a better handle on why I get nervous, and that makes it easier to deal with. I think, I really feel better than before. It’s like understanding the “source code” of my anxiety, instead of just trying to shut it down.
I’m still working through the book, and I’m planning to try some of the other techniques Abrams suggests. It’s a process, you know? But so far, I’m pretty impressed. It’s not just about changing your thoughts, it’s about understanding why you have those thoughts in the first place. Kind of mind-blowing, actually.
So, yeah, that’s my little experiment with the “New CBT.” Still learning, still practicing, but definitely seeing some positive changes. If you’re struggling with your own “Stone Age glitches,” maybe give it a look. Who knows, it might just help you rewrite your own code.
