Cognitive Distortions
This is when we see things in black or white, yes or no, there is no grey areas.
All-Or-Nothing Thinking
She broke up with me last night. Now I'll never meet anyone.
All-or-nothing thinking or overgeneralization
"I will never be happy."
Examples: "I may be unhappy now but that will pass." "I have been happy before and I will be happy again."
List 3 things you are grateful for.
:)
This is when we see a single event or detail as a part of a never-ending streak of failure. We use words like "always," "never," and "everyone."
Overgeneralization
This is when we anticipate that things will turn out badly and act as if they already turned out that way.
Fortune-Telling
He didn't notice my new haircut. He must thing it's ugly!
Mind-reading
I can't afford it, but I still should give my friend money because he asked me for it.
Examples: "I wish I could loan him money but I cannot afford it." "I want to give my friend money because it makes me feel good and I have enough to spare."
True or False: Maine is the only state with a one syllable name.
True
This is when we blow a negative event or detail out of proportion.
Magnification or Catastrophizing
This is when we see ourselves as the cause of a negative event or believe something is about us, even if it isn't.
Personalization
My neighbor is moving out. I think it's because they think the music I play and my dogs are annoying.
Personalization
He didn't say "Hi" to me this morning so he must be mad at me for something I did.
"There are many reasons why he did not say Hi to me. It's probably not personal." "I will check in with him later and make sure everything is ok"
In the show Sesame Street, who lives in a trash can?
Oscar The Grouch
This is when we conclude that we know how someone feels or why they are behaving the way they are without checking it out and without any evidence.
Mind-Reading
This is when we look at our strengths and downplay them or try to make a situation much smaller than it may be.
Minimization
I know she only complimented my new outfit just because she was being nice.
Disqualifying the Positive OR Minimization OR even mind-reading
I know I am going to have a panic attack when I go the party tomorrow so I should just cancel my plans now.
"I can practice my coping skills if I start to feel anxious and I can leave the party if I start to panic. But I should at least give it a try." "I have been to these types of parties before and I have never had a panic attack. I will probably be fine."
What type of animal is Squidward in Sponebobe?
An octopus, he has six legs because they couldn't draw all 8 and he has a round head (not pointy like squid). Squid have 10 legs.
This happens when we ignored the positive things and only pay attention to the bad ones.
Disqualifying the positive
I have had a headache for two days. I must have a brain tumor.
"Headaches are common and happen occasionally. There is no need to worry." "If my headache doesn't go away in a day I will make an appointment with my PCP to check it out." "I am under a lot of stress and my body is probably telling me I need to take it easy."
What type of bird is the only bird that can fly backwards?
Humming birds