Resentments
This involves examining your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors honestly.
What is self-reflection
This defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality.
What is denial?
Thinking in extremes like “always” or “never” is called this distortion.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
This part of the brain is heavily involved in euphoria and pleasure.
What is the brain’s reward system?
These are deeply held thoughts about yourself, others, or the world that shape how you interpret experiences.
What are beliefs?
This important skill allows a person to admit mistakes and take responsibility.
What is accountability?
Making excuses to justify unhealthy behavior is called this defense mechanism.
What is rationalization?
Assuming you know what others are thinking is called this.
What is Mind Reading?
This phenomenon describes why increasing amounts of a substance are needed to achieve the same effect over time.
What is Tolerance?
This belief pattern leads a person to believe they are responsible for things outside of their control.
What is personalization?
Instead of expressing anger directly, a resentful person may use this behavior to express frustration indirectly.
What is passive-aggressive behavior?
This defense mechanism involves returning to behaviors from an earlier developmental stage.
What is regression?
Expecting the worst possible outcome is known as this distortion.
What is catastrophizing?
This stage of relapse risk involves emotional symptoms like isolation, poor sleep, and increased anxiety before any substance use occurs.
What is emotional relapse?
A client consistently agrees to requests they do not want to do, fears disappointing others, and believes their worth depends on keeping everyone happy, often at the expense of their own needs. What distorted belief system is being demonstrated?
What is people pleasing/approval seeking?
This occurs when a person transfers unresolved anger from one situation or relationship onto unrelated people or situations, often increasing emotional reactions beyond what the current event warrants.
What is displaced anger/projection?
A client frequently jokes and laughs while discussing deeply painful experiences in order to avoid emotional vulnerability. Which defense mechanism are they most likely using?
What is Humor?
This therapy model focuses heavily on identifying cognitive distortions.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
This brain region is responsible for impulse control and decision-making, and is often impaired in active addiction.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
This is the process used in CBT to challenge and change distorted beliefs into more balanced thoughts.
What is thought reframing?
A person repeatedly says, “It’s unfair,” while ignoring possible solutions. This mindset can keep someone stuck in what emotional state?
What is victim mentality?
A person strongly criticizes others for being dishonest, yet they themselves frequently lie and manipulate situations without acknowledging it. Which defense mechanism is most likely occurring?
What is Projection?
A person receives positive feedback but dismisses it by saying, “They’re just being nice… it doesn’t really count,” while fully believing one small criticism proves they are inadequate. They focus on the negative instead of the positive. Which cognitive distortions is operating in this pattern?
What is Mental Filtering?
This is the brain’s ability to change and adapt, which is also how addiction behaviors become reinforced over time.
What is neuroplasticity?
A client states, “I feel like a failure, so I must be one,” and avoids behavioral change based on this assumption. This reflects fusion of emotional state with what type of belief distortion?
What is Labeling?