Rigid Thinking: The #1 Reason People Struggle in a Crisis

THE ALL-OR-NOTHING THINKING TRAP

All-or-nothing thinking, a common form of rigid thinking, involves viewing situations as either entirely good or entirely bad with no middle or common ground. This type of thinking is an example of automatic negative thinking, which can make a crisis feel much worse than it is, leading to feelings of hopelessness.

Related: Negative Thinking: Do You Have an ANT Infestation in Your Head?\

For example, if you face an unexpected setback at work, you might think, “I’m a complete failure,” rather than seeing it as a temporary problem to solve and learn from professionally. This cognitive distortion can lead to heightened stress, making it even more difficult to handle a crisis in the future.

Those who engage in all-or-nothing thinking are more likely to struggle with mental health disorders like compulsive disorders, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. That’s because it impedes flexible thinking, making it harder to evaluate situations rationally.

Learning how to overcome rigid thinking by recognizing this mental trap is a first step in regaining control of your life before, during, and after a crisis.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT SPIRAL INTO A CRISIS

Negative thoughts are often the product of rigid thinking. These thoughts can snowball, exacerbating stress and anxiety during a crisis.

The brain’s default mode in stressful situations is to latch onto negative thoughts, often exaggerating the problem at hand. This negativity leads to a self-perpetuating cycle that can worsen a crisis.

Researchers found that ruminating in those negative thought patterns makes it more likely that you’ll have trouble coping with stress. People who ruminate also have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

This biological response indicates how negative thinking impacts not only mental health but also physical health. Breaking this cycle of negativity is key to better mental adaptability.

THE ROLE OF PERFECTIONISM IN RIGID THINKING

Perfectionism, while often seen as a desirable or at least potentially productive trait, is another form of rigid thinking that can lead to significant stress when struggling with a crisis.

When you hold yourself to impossibly high standards, you can start to feel inadequate or disappointed when you can’t meet those expectations. Toxic perfectionism can cause you to focus more on avoiding failure than finding solutions, which more often than not ends up with you in a state of analysis paralysis.

Related: The Trouble with Toxic Perfectionism

A study from the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that perfectionists are more likely to experience mental health crises that often exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and fear of judgment.

When you’re in the midst of a crisis, it’s critical to embrace imperfection and practice self-compassion. This can be pivotal in overcoming this type of rigid thinking.

HOW RIGID THINKING LIMITS PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

In a crisis, problem solving becomes even more important. If your house burned down in a fire, for example, you need your wits about you to handle insurance matters, find a suitable rental, and figure out what your long-term plan is.

You need to be able to look at the problem from different perspectives and come up with various potential solutions. When you’re trapped in a rigid mindset, however, you may only be able to see one way forward, which isn’t always the best course of action.

By learning to adapt and approach problems from multiple angles, you can reduce excessive mental strain during more stressful times.

THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF RIGID THINKING IN A CRISIS

The emotional toll of rigid thinking is often profound, especially in times of crisis. When the brain is stuck in a fixed mindset, it can heighten emotions such as anger, frustration, and fear.

These emotions further cloud judgment and prevent rational thinking. A 2023 study shows that these also negatively affect your social life and relationships as those around you may not understand how to cope with the struggles you’re facing. Being overwhelmed by your negative emotions can make it even harder to break free from rigid thinking.

A 2018 systematic review reported that people who exhibit higher levels of emotional rigidity are more likely to develop psychological disorders. The rigidity stems from an inability to adapt emotionally.

Developing emotional regulation techniques can help improve emotional flexibility and reduce the impact of a crisis.

HOW TO OVERCOME RIGID THINKING AND BUILD MENTAL ADAPTABILITY

The good news is that you can calm an overactive brain and enhance mental adaptability. Here are a few examples of what you can do to help yourself overcome rigid thinking:

• Try calming supplements: Nutraceuticals, such as 5-HTP, are helpful in raising serotonin levels to help calm the ACG.

• Challenge automatic negative thoughts (ANTS)- Question their accuracy, seek reputable information, and consider alternative perspectives.
• Practice mindful meditation – Build self-awareness to better recognize rigid thinking patterns and shift toward a more flexible mindset.
• Engage in problem-solving activities – Puzzles, brainstorming sessions, or learning new skills to improve cognitive flexibility.
• Expose yourself to new experiences – Try different routines, travel to unfamiliar places, or meet new people to expand your worldview.
• Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities – Focus on what can be gained rather than dwelling on mistakes or failures.

Rigid thinking can sometimes feel like a natural response to stress. Similarly to how the body can tighten under tension, your thought process can worsen under mental strain.

Breaking free from rigid thinking takes practice and patience with yourself but developing cognitive flexibility can transform the way you handle challenges. By embracing new perspectives and strengthening your problem-solving skills, you can create a healthier, more resilient mindset that can help you handle future crises.