Give an Example Of...
What is an Alternative
Name that Distortion
Here's an Example of...
Potpourri
100

Mind Reading

Somebody tells you no, and you assume they think that you are a burden

You want help from a co-worker but you assume they will say no, so you don't even ask

100

"I'm just crazy"

I'm struggling right now and I feel out of control

I'm having a hard time controlling my emotions or worry over this situation...

100

Using words like "always" and "never" to describe situations or events

Black-and-white or all-or-nothing thinking

100

Somebody tells you that you look nice and you think "they are just staying that because they feel bad for me."

Discounting positives/mental filter

100

Why are should statements so detrimental for us

They imply that life or situations "should" look a certain way, so there is something wrong with the way things actually look. Should statements discount the experiences of you and of others and don't account for all the factors.

200

Catastrophizing

If I fail this test I will not pass school and I'll never have a good job or be successful in life

If my partner leaves me I will be alone and lonely forever

200

In sobriety you think, "this shouldn't be so hard for me."

I have been struggling for a long time. It is possible that my recovery will just take a little longer or be a little harder than I anticipated.

200

You exaggerate the importance of your problems and shortcomings

Magnification

200

"They talk to her more than they talk to me so they must like her better."

Mind Reading

200

What is the difference between magnification and minimization

In Magnification, you magnify the things that didn't go well and in Minimization you dismiss or write off your successes. 

300

Labeling

You forget a doctor's appointment and tell yourself,  "I'm so irresponsible"

You fail to see that somebody was using you for something, you tell yourself "I'm a fool."

300
"I know I will mess this up."

I'm worried I will mess this up, but if I don't try my hardest, I will never know

300

Telling yourself you should be over these problems by now or others should act a certain way

Should Statements

300

You receive a note from your child's teacher that he didn't complete his assignment and you interpret that as proof that you are a bad parent.

Personalization or Discounting the Positives

300

True or False: to combat a distortion, you should just think the opposite thought

False

400

All-or-nothing thinking

You were late to work and you tell yourself, "this whole day is runied."


If your partner forgets your anniversary, you assume they don't love you

400

I always make mistakes

I made a mistake this one time and I can try to do better going forward

400

You see negative events as indicating some negative aspect of yourself and hold yourself personally responsible for an event that isn't entirely in your control.

Personalization

400

"I have relapsed/not been able to maintain sobriety in the past, this time won't work either."

Overgeneralization

400

Define Catastrophizing

You jump to the worst possible scenario when something unplesant happens
500

Fortune Telling

Predicting "I will never feel better"

You get invited to a wedding and you assume, "this will be so awkward and I will feel exhausted and want to leave the entire time."

500

"I'm going to make a fool of myself and everyone will laugh at me."

I will do my best to remember that people are always as harsh as I assume they will be.

500

Assuming that our negative emotions reflect the way things really are

Emotional Reasoning
500

"I feel guilty so I must have done something wrong."

Emotional Reasoning

500

Mind Reading and Catastrophizing are examples of what?

Jumping to Conclusions