Define it! #1
Making a big deal about a minor event
Magnification
Taking a single situation and applying it across the board to many other situations
Overgeneralization
I always relapse.
All or Nothing thinking
My Brother is in a horrible mood, I must have done something wrong
Personalization
"I will never be happy"
Examples: "I may be unhappy now but that will pass." "I have been happy before and I will be happy again."
Automatically assuming that the worst case scenario is the most likely option
Catastrophizing
Taking one fact and assuming understanding of an entire situation
Jumping to conclusions.
I should always help others, even when I have to sacrifice my own needs.
Should statements
I feel guilty about missing that family gathering for a meeting, I must be doing something wrong
emotional reasoning
I should give my friend money because he asked me for it.
Examples: "I wish I could loan him money but I cannot afford it." "I want to give my friend money because it makes me feel good and I have enough to spare."
Believing that your actions have more influence than is realistic
magical thinking
Believing that you know what someone else is thinking.
Mind reading
I know he is thinking about firing me, and just waiting for me to mess up.
Mind reading
Catastrophizing
He didn't say Hi to me this morning so he must be mad at me for something I did.
"There are many reasons why he did not say Hi to me. It's probably not personal." "I will check in with him later and make sure everything is ok"
taking responsibility for emotions and actions of others
personalization
Believing that you know the outcome of something before it happens
Fortune telling
I know everyone says they are proud of me, but I can't pay my bills yet, I still live at home, and all I really do is go to meetings and group
Minimization
I feel like I want to use, and so I probably will
Points for emotional reasoning, jumping to conclusions, or over generalization
I know I am going to have a panic attack when I go the party tomorrow so I should just cancel my plans now.
"I can practice my coping skills if I start to feel anxious and I can leave the party if I start to panic. But I should at least give it a try." "I have been to these types of parties before and I have never had a panic attack. I will probably be fine."
All or nothing thinking
A belief that if you feel something, it must be true
Emotional Reasoning
Magical thinking
I know my family thinks I am using
Mind reading.
I have had a headache for two days. I must have a brain tumor.
"Headaches are common and happen occasionally. There is no need to worry." "If my headache doesn't go away in a day I will make an appointment with my PCP to check it out." "I am under a lot of stress and my body is probably telling me I need to take it easy."