Cognitive Distortions

B

100

This is when we see things in black and white categories. There is no grey area.

What is All-or-Nothing Thinking

200

This is when we see a single negative event as a part of a never-ending streak of failure. We use words like "always," "never," "everybody".

What is Overgeneralization

300

This happens when we blow a negative event out of proportion.

What is Magnification or Catastrophizing

400

This is when we conclude that someone is acting negatively towards us without checking it out or seeking other evidence.

What is Mind Reading

500

This is when we pick out one negative detail in a situation and dwell on it exclusively.

What is Mental Filter

R

100

This is when we apply simplistic and unfair definitions that are probably wrong or more likely incomplete on ourselves and others.

What is Labeling

200

This is when we anticipate that things will turn out badly and act as if they already turned out that way.

What is Fortune Telling

300

This is when we see ourselves as the cause of negative events that we are not responsible for.

What is Personalization

400

This is when we create excuses for situations that don't go your way.

What is Rationalization

500

This is when you believe rewards depend on how hard you work.

What is Heaven's Reward Fallacy

A

100

This is when we hold others responsible for a negative event without considering our contribution to the situation. 

What is Blaming

200

This is when we believe external circumstances must change before one can be happy or satisfied. 

What is Fallacy of Change

300

This is believing negative feelings reflect the way things really are. 

What is Emotional Reasoning

400

This is when we have beliefs about how people ought to behave. 

What is Should Statements

500

This is believing it is unacceptable to be wrong. 

What is Always Being Right

V

100

This is believing that everything should be fair. 

What is Fallacy of Fairness

200

This is generalizing something into a judgment. 

What is Labeling

300

This is magnifying the negative. 

What is Catastrophizing

400

This is the false prediction of someone else's thoughts. 

What is Mindreading

500

This is focusing on negatives and dismissing the positives. 

What is Mental Filtering

E

100

"I am mentally ill and cannot contribute anything to anyone." 

What is Labeling

200

"I received an F on my exam. I am going to fail the entire course and never graduate."

What is Catastrophizing

300

"She is moving to a new apartment because she does not like having me as a neighbor." 

What is Personalization

400

"She did not say anything about my new haircut. She must think it's ugly."

What is Mind Reading

500

"She broke up with me last night. Now I'll never meet anyone." 

What is All-Or-Nothing thinking OR Overgeneralization.