Disordered thinking and the moving goal post

 Originally posted to my Facebook on July 22, 2026

Moving the metaphorical goal post can frustrate any human - in education, business, religion, or self-determination. When you add in a communication disorder, or a mental illness (like disordered thinking), the problem becomes much larger. Quite often, the perception of the original goal may have been somewhat nebulous in their mind at the outset. Logic would say, "People have found methods of self-accommodation for centuries (survival of the species)", and ask, 'Why the problem now?'."

Unfortunately, when a person with disordered thinking encounters a changed expectation, their mind's reaction can be unpredictable. It may not be as simple as pivoting from one direction to the new destination, using a slight course correction. Especially rigid thinkers, plagued with doubts about the change, begin to entertain conspiracy theories; where more normative responders might only experience a dip of faith in the group leadership and decision making.

Inevitably though, non-linear thought patterns result in unintended consequences upon derailment. An unnecessary sense of betrayal occurs if plans change that fundamentally alter what a person considered foundational. We see this population-wide for religious circles when 'new' revelation or doctrinal clarifications are introduced. For those who feel betrayed, it can be seen as the leaders themselves, 'god', adversarial entities (Satan), or even all three as being responsible for the hurt. God and Satan concepts are always a challenge when it comes to the mentally ill, as they have no human form to direct their concern (unless, in the absence the mind creates one).

Educational situations can also be problematic, for instance, if a student is under the impression that a reward is promised for completion of a set task or attainment of a new skill. Even if the reward is eventually produced, any deviation from the original 'agreement' might be met with a variety of responses, from push-back to hostility, and future resistance or defeatism. In the extreme, fixation on one type of goal setting strategy, when changed, may result in no willing participation with future goal setting. No sticker chart is big enough. No certificate is fancy enough. And no progressively large reward fills the bill for more effort toward marginal growth.

For years, labor unions made advances toward improving job safety, compensation, and retirement. A pension (in the traditional employer-funded sense) is almost unheard of now. And even for those who were promised pensions, with the growth and swallowing of smaller and middle sized companies by ever larger ones, corporate legal departments find ways of delaying or entirely writing out benefits from compensation packages when mergers occur. Desperate people end up falling back on social programs. But disordered thinking combined with desperate circumstances leads to unfortunate outcomes, unpredictable in nature.

It's long been a habit of parent teachers to suggest the use of 'warnings' in timed increments for children. The five minute warning before leaving, giving little humans time to find their shoes. Adults do well with similar preparation. Disordered thinking is a challenge on a 'typical' day without unexpected changes. Lifetime disruptions, well . . . sometimes those result in in-patient visits/stays with professional attention . . .

if you have coverage, and can find a facility with an opening (or a bed).

If not, coping strategies can be found, some less helpful than others - such as interaction withdrawal and self-medicating.