Cognitive Distortions 1
Imagining the worst possible outcomes of a situation.
What is "Making Big Problems Out of Small Ones" or catastrophizing?
This type of thinking sets up unrealistic expectations. If you feel things should be a certain way (or that you’ve “got to” be successful at something), life can become frustrating or confusing and you get upset.
What is "Should/ Ought To Thinking?"
"My case worker didn't call me this week; that means she hates me."
What is mind reading?
It’s not my fault. I just wanted to hang out. I didn’t know they were going to be selling drugs down there again. They handed me the drugs. I didn't do anything.
What is blaming others (or minimizing)?
You have been working at McDonalds for a few months. Your boss tells you he is really impressed with how well you have caught on and he appreciates your initiative. He gives you a raise. Youth think, "It's just McDonalds. Big deal."
What are positives don't count or negative filter?
Assuming that because you feel something, it must be true.
What is "Feelings versus Facts" or emotional reasoning?
Even though the facts are different, you tell yourself that things never work out well for you and this always happens to you.
What is "Always/Never Thinking?"
"I got a YBIR today. Now I won't get my Level III and I might as well get a bunch of YBIRs."
What is All or Nothing?
One of your friends is a very pretty girl. A lot of guys find her attractive. She just got braces and she's a little older. She's uncomfortable. She says, “I look ridiculous. I’m not going anywhere until I get these braces off. My social life is over. You go ahead to the mall with the rest of them. I’m staying home.”
What is making a big problem out of a small one?
"I feel so lonely today. I'm such a loser. Why would anyone want to hang out with me?"
What are feelings versus facts?
Expecting that a situation will turn out badly without having any evidence that it will.
What is "Fortune Telling?"
Ignoring the good things and focusing only on the negative things.
What is "Positives Don't Count" or "Negative Filter?"
"It's my fault that I was abused as a child."
What is blaming self?
Youth mom says, “You always make a mess of this place. I can never be away for 5 minutes before you’ve torn it up. Now, clean it up. Don't back talk me. I'm not in the mood for it today."
What is always/ never?
"It's not my fault she bruises easily. If she had cleaned the house like I told her, I wouldn't have had to hit her."
What is blaming others?
This type of thinking cuts things down to two choices even though there might be many more (black and white thinking).
What is "All-or-Nothing Thinking?"
Not taking responsibility for your own actions...
What is the "Blaming Others?"
"Even though we broke the same rule, she didn't get put on staff watch and I did. That's not fair and this program should be shut down!"
What is should and ought to?
"If they are going to treat me like a criminal, I might as well act like one."
What is negative label?
Note: Can also be all or nothing
Thinking that helps us think and act in a prosocial way.
What is functional thinking?
Something is a big problem, or a serious issue, but you don’t take it seriously. Key words are usually "but, only and just."
What is "Minimizing?"
You decide - without any facts to support it - that someone is reacting negatively toward you. You are sure you know what they think about you.
What is "Mind Reading?"
"I feel like running away and getting high, so I have to run away and get high."
"I texted (snapped, messaged-whatever term you want to use) him hours ago and he still hasn't texted (snapped, messaged-whatever term you want to use) me back. He's probably dumping me and back with that witch he used to date."
What is mind reading?
The things we tell ourselves to make doing the wrong thing okay.
What is a thinking error?