Irrational Thinking and Adjustment to Loss of Vision

Abstract

Individual differences in adjusting to or coping with blindness appear related to the presence or absence of certain irrational belief statements about this disability. As a whole, these appear to constitute much of the mythology of blindness. The statements fall into four general categories: (1) Blind people are different from sighted people in their self-worth and value; (2) Blind people have a unique psychological constitution; (3) Blind people have a special relationship with other people and society in general; and (4) There are magical circumstances about blindness. Each statement is discussed and methods by which individuals can rid themselves of or be helped to eliminate these irrational beliefs are described.