Cognitive Distortions 1
Also known as “Black-and-White Thinking,” this distortion manifests as an inability or unwillingness to see shades of gray. In other words, you see things in terms of extremes – something is either fantastic or awful, you believe you are either perfect or a total failure.
All or Nothing Thinking
The inaccurate belief that we know what another person is thinking.
A. Socratic Questioning B. Mind Reading
Mind Reading
Name that coping skill: the ability to see a situation for what it really is, rather than what one hopes or fears it might be.
Reality Checking
What is on the CBT triangle?
Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
What can you catch, but not throw?
A cold
Takes one instance or example and generalizes it to an overall pattern. For example, a student may receive a C on one test and conclude that she is stupid and a failure.
Overgeneralization
The tendency to make conclusions and predictions based on little to no evidence and holding them as gospel truth.
A. Jumping to Conclusions B. Fortune Telling
Jumping to Conclusions or Fortune Telling
Trick Question- it's BOTH!
Name that coping skill: This is an effective way to reflect on thoughts and feelings on paper (or another source to reflect).
Journaling
A person’s most central ideas about themselves, others, and the world. These beliefs act like a lens through which every situation and life experience is seen.
A. Core Beliefs B. Identity
A. Core Beliefs
Q: I have a tail and a head, but no body. What am I?
A: A COIN
Similar to overgeneralization, focuses on a single negative piece of information and excludes all the positive ones.
A. Jumping to Conclusions B. Mental Filter
B. Mental Filter
This distorted type of thinking leads people to dread or assume the worst when faced with the unknown. When people have this type of distortion, ordinary worries can quickly escalate.
A. Catastrophizing B. Mind Reading
A. Catastrophizing
Why is it important for us to learn about our own cognitive distortions?
We can learn to change our thinking styles.
Q: Give me food and I will live, Give me water, and I will die.
A: FIRE
Acknowledges positive experiences but rejects them instead of embracing them.
A. Black or White Thinking OR
B. Disqualifying the Positive
Disqualifying the Positive
Refers to the acceptance of one’s emotions as fact. It can be described as “I feel it, therefore it must be true.”
Emotional Reasoning
Name that coping skill: This focuses on identifying negative thoughts or evaluations and modifying them.
A. Cognitive Restructuring B. Self-Monitoring
A. Cognitive Restructuring
True or False: CBT is used to treat a wide range of conditions including: Addiction, Anger Issues, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorders, Panic Attacks, Personality Disorders, and Phobias.
TRUE!
Q: I run, yet I have no legs. What am I?
A: A NOSE
Statements that you make to yourself about what you “should” do, what you “ought” to do, or what you “must” do. They can also be applied to others, imposing a set of expectations that will likely not be met.
Should Statements
What does CBT stand for?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Name that coping skill: challenging irrational, illogical, or harmful thinking errors.
A. Increase Awareness B. Socratic Questioning
B. Socratic Questioning
Tell us about one coping skill that has been helpful for you
Q: The more you take away, the bigger it gets.
A: A HOLE