Thinking Errors
This thinking error involves making a problem seem less serious than it really is, often as a way to avoid responsibility.
What is minimizing?
This number on the scale usually represents a calm, safe, and in-control emotional state.
What is 1?
This is the only person’s actions, words, and choices you can fully control.
Who is yourself?
Taking deep breaths, going for a walk, or listening to music are all examples of this type of coping strategy.
What is a healthy coping strategy?
These five cognitive distortions—minimizing, self-centered thinking, assuming the worst, blaming others, and glorifying—are all examples of this type of faulty mental processing that can lead to poor decision-making and behavior.
What are thinking errors?
This thinking error puts your own needs and desires above everyone else’s, assuming your perspective is the most important.
What is self-centered thinking?
On the 5-Point Scale, this number typically signals that you're starting to feel frustrated, but can still stay in control.
What is 2?
True or False: You can control how others feel about you.
What is false?
This is the term for writing down your thoughts and feelings to help you process emotions in a healthy way.
What is journaling?
These five thinking errors—glorifying, assuming the worst, minimizing, self-centered thinking, and blaming others—can all distort how a person uses this emotional awareness and regulation tool.
What is the 5-Point Scale?
This is the type of thinking where you expect the most negative outcome, even without solid evidence.
What is assuming the worst?
This number often means you're at a breaking point, possibly yelling, crying, or shutting down.
What is 5?
Name one thing that is inside your circle of control.
What is my attitude / my reactions / my effort / my words? (Any of these are correct.)
When you're feeling overwhelmed, this coping strategy involves talking to someone you trust.
What is asking for help or talking it out?
This tool uses numbers from 1 to 5 to help people recognize and regulate their emotions and behavior.
What is the 5-Point Scale?
This thinking error avoids personal accountability by pointing fingers at others for your own problems.
What is blaming others?
The 5-Point Scale is most often used to help people manage this.
What is emotion or emotional regulation?
Name one thing that is outside your circle of control.
What is the weather / other people’s choices / the past / traffic? (Accept reasonable answers.)
Name one unhealthy coping strategy that might feel good in the moment but causes more problems later.
What is yelling / avoiding / substance use / blaming others? (Accept reasonable answers.)
This mental tool helps you reduce stress and make better choices by focusing on what you can influence directly.
What is the Circle of Control?
This thinking error exaggerates past behaviors or actions, often making them seem more positive than they really were.
What is glorifying?
Using the 5-Point Scale regularly helps you do this before your feelings become too intense.
What is self-regulate or identify your feelings early?
This mindset shift can help reduce anxiety by focusing energy only on what’s within your control.
What is using the Circle of Control?
This physical activity is a common coping strategy that helps both your body and your mind feel better.
What is exercise?
These are the tools and actions people use to manage stress, strong emotions, or tough situations in healthy or unhealthy ways.
What are coping strategies?