Name That Distortion (1)
Thinking in extremes.
"I always mess things up!"
"This never works for me!"
"I never get this right!"
All or Nothing Thinking [or] Black and White Thinking
You view a negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat and misery.
(After getting out of an abusive relationship) "All women will hurt me one way or another."
Overgeneralization.
Focusing on what should be, rather than what is.
The "shoulds".
Calling ourselves or others by a certain names to avoid taking responsibility or because they are out of our control.
"I was late because traffic was bad."
"The accident was my fault."
Blaming
Taking something that doesn't have to do with you and making it about you
(When someone is rude to you) "He just hates me because I'm a Cubs fan."
Personalization.
Expecting the worst to happen.
(Day 1 of a challenging class) "I am so nervous, I know I am going to fail."
Catasrophizing
Putting a name to something based off of little to no facts.
"I am terrible at studying."
"He's a bad person."
"Joan is such a narcissist."
Labeling
Believing that you know what everyone is thinking.
"Everyone thinks I'm a loser."
"She thinks I'm weird."
"He thinks I'm a know-it-all."
Mind Reading
When someone makes sense of a situation based on how they feel.
(Feeling lonely) "I must be a lousy person if no one wants to hang out with me."
Emotional Reasoning
When someone only sees the bad and discounts the positive.
(Getting an 80% on an exam) "I blew it on that last essay question!"
Focusing on the Negative [or] Filtering
When you assume the outcome of a situation before it happens.
"I know they won't want me there, so I won't go."
Predicting the future.
When you expect your hard work or sacrifice to "pay off", as if someone is keeping score, and feeling bitter if the reward never comes.
Heaven's Reward Fallacy.
When you expect other people to change to suit you.
Fallacy of Change.
When you feel resentful because other people won't agree with what you believe is fair.
Fallacy of Fairness.
When you feel like you are responsible for the pain or happiness of everyone around you [or] You feel like you are a victim of fate.
Control Fallacies.