Written By
Aditya Shukla, Psychology SME, Cognition Today
What it is
In a mental health journey of recovering from anxiety, negative thoughts, procrastination, dysfunctional coping mechanisms, understanding your mind is the core. The cognitive attentional syndrome explains many of the problems.
Components of CAS
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Unhealthy thought patterns combine with a high focus on threat to create psychological stress. Unhealthy coping is used to reduce that stress.
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Repetitive thinking Recalling past negative events, fixating on negative experiences (rumination), worry, and intrusive thoughts disturb cognition and emotions.
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Threat Perception Most people are more attentive to negative details and danger (threats). In CAS, this is highly magnified. This puts them under constant vigilance and fear.
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Unhealthy Coping There are healthy and unhealthy coping styles. Listening to music, talking, exercise, sleeping, etc., are healthy. Escapism, alcoholism, social withdrawal, etc., are unhealthy. CAS has high unhealthy coping.
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The Cognitive Attentional Syndrome was conceptualized by Adrian Wells, the creator of "Meta-cognitive Therapy." The CAS is an explanation for mental health issues, and the therapy approach is to tackle all 3 components. It is based on an information processing model of the mind.
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Adrian Wells points to a few tips to help with CAS. 1. Recognize unhealthy coping that is used to reduce repetitive thoughts and high focus on threats. 2. Learn to redirect attention toward non-negative details in daily life. 3. Purposefully facing your fears step-by-step with a problem-solving approach.