Cognitive Distortions
Nothing ever goes the way I want it to.
Overgeneralizing
I will never finish my homework.
It is going to be hard to complete all of this, but if I do one thing at a time, I could do it!
This sucks.
This can be rational. Sometimes things can feel like they "suck".
Lonely
This is a feeling.
What can we do when we feel lonely?
I'm a loser and can't do anything right.
Black and white thinking
I feel lonely in this class. Maybe I could talk to the person beside me and make a friend.
I am so mad!
This can be rational. You are allowed to feel mad sometimes!
I'm so sad; why does this happen to me?
This is a thought.
What feeling may you be experiencing during this thought.
What's your go-to form of self-care?
That's cool!
It's all my sisters fault. If they had been more careful than this wouldn't be happening...
Blaming
I can't do this anymore.
Things are hard right now, hopefully it will get better soon.
My friend didn't say hi to me this morning, she doesn't like me.
Not rational. There are other reasons might she not have been engaging that morning.
I'm going to punch someone in the face.
Thought.
What feeling may you be experiencing in this thought.
What does "taking a break" look like for you?
Great!
I should have never made that phone call.
Should statements
It won't ever change, why even bother?
Sometimes its frustrating how hard it is to achieve change.
Nothing good ever happens to me.
Not rational.
We can reframe this thought into something more positive such as "Good things aren't happening now, but good things are bound to come in the future.
Frustrated
This is a feeling.
Do you have an example of a thought that goes with this feeling?
Give an example of an "I Statement"
"I....."
I am going to loose my job, and then my housing and I will be homeless.
Jumping to conclusions
Everyone thinks I am stupid.
It feels like people are judging me.
My friend is for sure going to stop being my friend because we had a fight.
Not rational.
Relationships have disagreements, but do not always end because of them!
I am worthless.
This is a Thought.
What is the feeling could be behind this thought?
Give an example of what someone's body language may look like when they are upset.
Facial expressions, posture, fidgeting ect.