Identifying Thinking Errors
Jazmin is trying to quit smoking. She has gone three weeks without smoking. Then one day, she has a relapse and smokes one cigarette. Afterwards, she is so disappointed in her relapse that she decides her efforts to quit smoking are not good enough. She smokes the rest of the pack before the day ends. Soon, Jazmin resumes smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
Giving up
Scarcity Mentality
There is never enough
You deserve this or that because of your perceived status in the world.
Pride
You find what you are doing, reading, watching, listening to, etc., to be dull and uninteresting. This can happen often if your feel like you need to be constantly entertained.
Bored
You deserve this or that because of your perceived status in the world.
Entitlement
Sheila feels exhausted. In addition to her duties with her own family of five, this week she has made a meal for two families in the ward, cared for the children of another mother who was sick, volunteered to serve at the local school on two afternoons, planned a Relief Society dinner, and baked bread for the five sisters she ministers to in the ward. She feels like she can’t ever say “No” when someone invites her to serve. If she does, she won’t be seen as a contributor to the ward’s success.
People Pleasing
Powerlessness
You can’t do this, you can’t do that, you can’t even try.
You feel like you are being harmed by people that have no intention of harming you.
Victimization
You feel that you have no companionship.
Lonely
You can’t do this, you can’t do that, you can’t even try.
Powerlessness
Pedro is driving his motorcycle on a busy road when a car suddenly swerves in front of him, forcing Pedro to quickly apply the brakes and nearly crash. The driver of the car realizes his error and signals an apology to Pedro with a hand wave and a “Sorry” mouthed in the rearview mirror. But Pedro quickly transforms his shock into anger and speeds up alongside the car. He fiercely pounds on the driver’s window while yelling his displeasure to the mortified driver. For the rest of the day, Pedro is angry with everyone he meets.
Catastrophize / Victimize
Pride
Your perceived status in the world is based on how you compare to others.
You tell yourself something is different than the way it really is.
Deceit
You are responding to a negative primary emotion or stress through aggression.
Angry
Because you messed up, you give up and stop trying.
Giving Up
Alex teases his little sister by making fun of her. She bursts into tears and runs out of the room. When confronted by his mother, Alex replies, “It’s not a big deal! She’s so sensitive! Why can’t she learn to take a little joke?”
Minimize / Justification
Deceit
You tell yourself something is different than the way it really is.
You distort issues, events, choices, etc. to make them bigger than they really are.
Catastrophize
You are worrying about something in your life such that your body feels tension and your mind is weighed down with concern.
Stressed
There is never enough (fun, food, money, opportunities, etc.).
Scarcity Mentality
Alana tears open her mission call envelope with excitement. Quickly scanning the letter inside, her heart sinks when she realizes she will be serving in an area that she does not like. For the next week, Alana’s parents can’t seem to cheer her up. She is convinced that her life for the next 18 months will be utterly miserable.
Entitlement
Justification
You can commit this sin because it is not a big deal, or you’re being pressured into it, or you deserve a little fun, etc.
You must please or impress others to maintain your value as a person or to keep from being devalued as a person
People Pleasing
You need to rest or sleep. Physical exhaustion is a powerful force to cope with mentally.
Tired
You distort issues, events, choices, etc. to make them smaller than they really are.
Minimize