Types 1
Thinking in absolutes including "always", "never", or "every".
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking?
The expectation that a situation will turn out badly without adequate evidence.
What is Fortune Telling?
She broke up with me last night. Now, I'll never meet anyone.
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking OR What is Overgeneralization?
"I will never be happy."
"I may be unhappy right now, and the unhappiness will pass."
Fortune Telling and Mind Reading are types of what cognitive distortion?
What is Jumping to Conclusions?
Making broad interpretations from a single or few events.
What is Overgeneralization?
Interpreting the meaning of a situation with little to no evidence.
What is Jumping to Conclusions?
They did not say anything about my new haircut. They must think it is ugly!
What is Mind Reading?
I should give my friend money because he asked me for it.
"I wish I could loan him money but I cannot afford it." OR "I want to give my friend money because it makes me feel good and I have enough to spare."
This is another term for Cognitive Distortions.
What is Faulty Thinking?
Seeing only the worst possible outcome of a situation.
What is Catastrophizing?
The belief that one is responsible for events outside of their own control.
What is Personalization?
She is moving to a new apartment because she does not like having me as a neighbor.
What is Personalization?
They didn't say Hi to me this morning so they must be mad at me for something I did.
"There are many reasons why they did not say Hi to me. It's probably not personal." OR "I will check in with them later and make sure everything is ok."
The belief that things should be a certain way.
What are "Should" statements?
Interpreting the thoughts and beliefs of others without adequate evidence.
What is Mind Reading?
Diminishing the importance of events. One might think their own achievements are unimportant.
What is Minimization?
I know he complimented me on my new outfit but he was just being nice.
What is Disqualifying the Positive OR What is Minimization?
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." OR "I have been to these types of parties before and I have never had a panic attack. I will probably be fine."
These are well-learned ways of thinking about situations that are instantaneous and reflect our underlying beliefs about the world.
What are Automatic Thoughts?
The belief that acts will influence unrelated situations.
What is Magical Thinking?
Recognizing only the negative aspects of a situation while ignoring the positive.
What is Disqualifying the Positive?
I feel like a bad person, I must be a bad person.
What is Emotional Reasoning?
"That test was hard, I'm glad I passed." OR "Now I know what to do to better prepare for next time!"
This is a technique used to keep track of thoughts.
What is a Thought Record?