Notice the possibility of, or actually run into, harsh parts of reality that weren’t on one’s map Map of reality becomes unrealistically positive or even grandiose Cope by forming bias toward comforting perceptions & beliefs Feel better for awhile, living in a rosy bubble Stressed by one’s over-reactions Extreme reaction to un-anticipated stressor Cycle of Grandiose Delusions

Encounter problems due to one’s exaggerated response to imagined dangers Map of reality becomes unrealistically threatening Cope by forming bias toward seeing signs of threat & betrayal Feel safer for awhile, because it seems all threats are anticipated Stressed by one’s unpreparedness for external threat & betrayal Blame the new problems on external sources Cycle of Paranoid Delusions

Maps of Self  Note that maps of self are prone to similar distortions –Bias to see self as competent protects against problems caused by lack of self confidence –Bias to see self as incompetent protects against being surprised by unexpected threats

Relationship between paranoid and grandiose distortions  Both types of distortion can be seen as a “correction” for the other type –So when people feel overwhelmed by one cycle, they may switch to the other  Creating inconsistency, flip/flops, from one kind of distortion to another –Or they may do some of each simultaneously  Creating an overall mess

Attempted solutions that lack balance:  Sometimes try to consciously think one’s way out –Resulting in too much reliance on conscious control of perception  Sometimes try to escape by relinquishing conscious thought, just being spontaneous, dreamy –Resulting in a willingness to accept highly irrational interpretations

Better solution:  When lots of bias exists, need a fresh look at things –A look that balances spontaneous interpretations with conscious reflection  This “fresh look” is sometimes seen as a rebirth of the self –Needs a safe place to occur  The therapy relationship is one way of creating this safe place