Category 1: “What If” Thinking
These are thoughts that start with “what if something bad happens?”
What are “what if” thoughts?
This word means noticing your thoughts without judging them.
What is awareness?
This is when you think one bad event will ruin everything.
What is overgeneralizing?
This is taking a deep breath to calm your body and mind.
What is relaxation?
This is when your thoughts feel automatic and pop up quickly.
What are automatic thoughts?
This type of thinking makes you imagine the worst possible outcome.
What is catastrophizing?
This is a helpful question: “What is the proof this thought is true?”
What is checking the evidence?
This is telling yourself something kind instead of something harsh.
What is positive self-talk?
This is writing down your thoughts to understand them better.
What is journaling?
This is choosing to focus on what you can control.
What is control?
In CBT, this is what you do when you question if a thought is really true.
What is challenging your thoughts?
This is when your brain jumps to conclusions without facts.
What is mind reading?
This is focusing only on the bad and ignoring the good.
What is negative thinking?
This is when you treat yourself the way you’d treat a friend.
What is self-compassion?
This is the habit of thinking about the same worry over and over.
What is rumination?
This is when you replace a negative thought with a more balanced one.
What is reframing?
This is a calmer replacement for “What if I fail?”
What if I try my best?
This is a small step you take even when you feel nervous.
What is facing your fear?
This is doing something even when you don’t feel motivated.
What is taking action?
This is replacing “What if something goes wrong?” with this question.
What if things go okay?
This is the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
What is the CBT triangle?
This is the feeling that often comes from too many “what if” thoughts.
What is anxiety?
This is asking, “What’s the most likely outcome?” instead of the worst.
What is realistic thinking?
This is a more balanced thought: “Even if it’s hard, I can handle it.”
What is a coping thought?
This is the skill of calming your thoughts so you can move forward.
What is coping?