Mind Traps
Everyone is always out to get me.
It's Joe's fault that I am late all the time, he just needs to get ready sooner so we can walk to the bus stop earlier.
What is blaming
I'm anxious to have this conversation with my brother, but I know setting this boundary and talking to him will help me in the long run.
Face up to fear
What is sharing thoughts and feelings with someone/using support systems.
I got the question wrong, I'll never pass this stupid test.
What is the catastrophe trap
My boyfriend didn't answer my call, he's obviously cheating on me and hates me.
What is assuming?
If I were to go to this party, I'll be around other people using and I know I might be tempted to use. Staying here and calling up a sober friend to hang out will help protect my sobriety
What is Considering the Consequences?
I'll journal each night about what I've been thinking after anything stressful in my life.
What is tracking thoughts and feelings?
I can't do anything about the fact that I'm an addict, I'll never be able to change.
What is the helpless trap
I'm smarter than everyone in this room, I don't need to pay attention in class, might as well play on my phone.
What is grandiosity
I really am human. I do make some mistakes and have things I can improve upon like my negative assumptions about others.
I used the cognitive triangle and recognized that what I thought changed my reaction to a negative one - I'm going to reframe my thinking
What is recognizing that what I think changes how I feel?
I have to move because my landlord hates me, she should get that I'll be late on rent a few times instead of kicking me out.
What is the blame trap
All my friends were doing it, so of course I did it too.
What is rationalization
I hear that you're concerned about my choices in friendships with people I used to use with. I'm going to take that into consideration to help with relapse prevention.
What is practicing open thinking
I was using the guilt trap, but I told myself that I am a human being and can make mistakes
What is challenging my mind traps?
I shouldn't have gotten myself into this mess, I'm so stupid
I know you want to talk about my recent relapse, but really the problem is that there isn't enough done to regulate prescription medications, we need to spend time advocating for change on that to solve this crisis.
What is hopping over
I have had some tough situations, but I chose to take those pills to cope instead of using my healthy coping skills. I will work on using those skills differently next time.
Taking personal responsibility
I told the voice in my head that it wasn't being helpful and provided counter-examples.
What is challenging my thoughts by disputing them