Name That Distortion
“If I mess up this job interview, I’ll never get hired again.”
What is Catastrophizing?
“I’m such a loser—I didn’t get everything done today.”
“I had a tough day, but I’m still trying my best.”
“Nobody likes me.”
What is Feeling?
A journal where you track your thoughts, feelings, and reframes.
What is a Thought Log?
Thinking in extremes: all good or all bad.
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking?
“My friend didn’t say hi—she must be mad at me.”
What is Mind Reading?
“Everyone in group thinks I’m weird.”
“I don’t know what they think. I can only be myself.”
“I was invited to hang out twice this week.”
What is Fact?
A technique where you ask: “What evidence supports this belief?”
What is Challenging the Thought?
Assuming something bad will happen without evidence.
What is Catastrophizing?
“I’m either completely sober or a total failure.”
What is All-or-Nothing Thinking?
“I missed a meeting, so now my whole recovery is ruined.”
“One slip doesn't undo all my progress.”
“I feel like I’m going to fail again.”
What is Feeling?
“What would I say to a friend who thought this?”
What is Self-Compassion or Perspective-Taking?
You blame yourself for things out of your control.
What is Personalization?
“I failed one test. I’ll fail every test I ever take.”
What is Overgeneralization?
“I should be stronger than this.”
“It’s okay to struggle. I’m still healing.”
“I completed two weeks of sobriety.”
What is Fact?
A tool to identify automatic thoughts and distortions.
What is Cognitive Restructuring?
Ignoring the positive and only focusing on negatives.
What is Mental Filtering?
“It’s my fault my partner relapsed. I should have done more.”
What is Personalization?
“If I ask for help, people will think I’m weak.”
“Asking for help takes courage and strength.”
“They probably think I’m annoying.”
What is Feeling?
Replacing “always” or “never” thinking with flexible thinking.
What is Reframing?
Believing you know what others are thinking.
What is Mind Reading?