What are Cog. Distortions?
What is a Cognitive Distortion?
A "thinking error" or irrational thoughts that shape how you see the world, how you feel, and how you act.
Mind reading means you actually know what other people are thinking.
False- (It means you assume without proof.)
When I start to feel anxious and spiraling I need to remember the acronym of what?
STOP
what prefix indicates a word is brain related?
neuro
"I failed, so I'm a failure."
I didn't do well this time, but that doesn't define me.
Who experiences cognitive distortions?
Anyone can experience cognitive distortions!
Only people with a mental illness experience cognitive distortions
False! Anyone and everyone can experience cognitive distortions.
S
stop - freeze - pause
What is the chemical that acts as a "brain fertiziler"
dopamine
"It’s all my fault my team lost the game."
One person doesn’t win or lose a game; we all played together
Did cognitive distortions start from a bad place?
No they stem from survival times when our brain had to be always prepared for fight or flight.
Cognitive distortions are always factual statements
False! Some parts of the statement may be correct, but a cognitive distortion exaggerates or misrepresents the situation. Remember to check the facts!
T
Take a breath - take a step back
What is the chemical that increases stress?
cortisol
"I just know I’ll fail my test tomorrow."
I don’t know what my grade will be for sure, but I can study and try my best
Do we have to be able to label the distortion to know it's not helpful?
Not necessarily!
Our brains cannot change after age 10
False! We are never too old to develop new thinking patterns
O
observe - notice what's happening - am i being hijacked? - is my pilot in control - is this facts or feelings?
what is Mrs. Trimble's favorite word for spiraling?
RUMINATING
"Everyone thinks I’m weird."
I don’t know what everyone thinks, but my real friends like me for who I am
How do you combat cognitive distortions?
Reframing! Identifying that what you're experiencing is a cognitive distortion and reframing the thought is so important!
Reframing is useless
False! Reframing can help us have a more positive outlook.
P
proceed mindfully - REFRAME. this isn't an INSANT fix it's changing our perception
personality trait
this is not a physical attribute - this is not your hair or your height. this is how you think, feel, and act
this stuff is so dumb, i never have bad thoughts, i don't need this
this may help you in the future and/or it may help a peer! it's great information!