Cognitive Distortions

Types of Cognitive Distortions 1

100

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

What is Black or White 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 Filtering

Types of Cognitive Distortions 2

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 Forecasting or What if Thinking

300

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

What is Self Blaming

400

This is when we look at our strengths and trivialize them.

What is Discounting the Positive.

500

This is when we are sure our negative feelings reflect what is reality.

What is Feelings are Facts.

Examples of Cognitive Distortions

100

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

What is Black or White Thinking OR What is Overgeneralization

200

She did not say anything about my new haircut. She must think it is ugly!

What is Mind Reading

300

It doesn't matter how much I study, I'm going to fail. 

What is Forecasting/What if Thinking

400

I know she complimented me on my new outfit but she was just being nice.

What is Disqualifying the Positive

500

I didn't meet my goal, I'm a failure. 

What is Labeling. 

Reframing Practice

100

"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."

200

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."

300

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"

400

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."

500

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."

Potpourri

100

Fortune Telling and Mind Reading are types of what cognitive distortion?

What is Jumping to Conclusions

200

This is another term for Cognitive Distortions.

What is Faulty Thinking

300

Types of statements make us feel pressured, guilty or resentful that we use to motivate ourselves to do things and create unrealistic expectations.

What are "Should" statements.

400

These are well-learned ways of thinking about situations that are instantaneous and reflect our underlying beliefs about the world.

What are automatic thoughts

500

Why is it important to understand and be able to re-frame cognitive distortions? 

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