Reduction of Deterministic Thinking Among Cancer Patients as a New Method to Increase Psychosocial Adjustments

BACKGROUND: Deterministic thinking is one of the major cognitive distortions. This type of thinking ignores any possibility in making a conclusion about events. Any consequence of an event may be thought as: 2×2= 4. Equality is a dominant factor among all conclusions of this kind of distortion. Distortion emerges in cognitive rigidity in the mind and could be the source of all distortions. Cognitive rigidity is a main reason for depression and other psychosocial maladjustments. METHODS: Challenging distortion was discussed as a new method for improving psychological conditions of cancer patients. Adapting the cultural base of the method, distortion is explained as a destructive factor which ruins the balance of fear and hope, the two important signs of faith in Islamic perspective. RESULTS: The consequence of challenging distortion to reduce depression and anxiety has been explained based on the Islamic Culture. CONCLUSION: For the first time, in this study, it was proposed that how this method can be used in the treatment of psychological disorders of cancer patients.