Definitions 1
Sometimes called "all or nothing thinking"
Black and White Thinking
Discounting the good things that have happened or that you have done for some reason or another
Disqualifying the Positive
She didn't invite me to the party, I'll never get invited anywhere again.
Overgeneralization OR fortune telling
If I don't get accepted into my dream school, then I will hate where I end up going, then I might drop out, never get a good job, and become homeless!
Catastrophizing
"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."
Only paying attention to certain types of evidence
Mental Filtering
Assigning labels to ourselves or other people
Labelling
"I am completely useless"
Labelling
"I know I did well in English this year, but that doesn't count because I got low scores in math. I must be a poor student."
Disqualifying the positive
"I should always answer the phone when my friend calls."
Example: I should answer the phone when I can, but not put too much pressure on myself. Sometimes I am too busy or too tired, and that is ok!
Seeing a pattern based on a single event, or being overly broad in the conclusions we draw
Over-generalizing
Blaming yourself or taking responsibility for something that wasn't completely your fault
Personalization
I feel embarrassed so I must be an idiot
Emotional Reasoning
"I can't believe I got lost and went to the wrong classroom! Everyone probably thinks I'm stupid."
Mind Reading
He didn't say hi to me this morning so he must be mad at me for something I did.
Example: "There are many reasons why he did not say hi to me. It's probably not personal."
Blowing things out of proportion
Catastrophizing
Using critical words that can make us feel guilty, or like we have already failed.
Should/Must Thinking
"Either I do the entire assignment right or I might as well not even try."
All or Nothing Thinking (Black and White Thinking)
"Nothing good ever happens."
Over-generalizing
"I know I am going to have a panic attack when I go the party tomorrow so I should just cancel my plans now."
Example: "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."
Assuming that because we feel a certain way, what we must think is true.
Emotional Reasoning
What are the two types of jumping to conclusions? Hint: they both involve us thinking we have superpowers
Mind Reading and Fortune Telling
"If I take time off of work, the whole office will fall apart"
Personalization
"So many people are auditioning. I bet I won't make it into the band."
Fortune telling
I have had a headache for two days. I must have a brain tumor.
Example: "Headaches are common and happen occasionally. There is no need to worry."