Myth or Fact
People only use 10% of their brains
Myth! We use 100% of our brains; different parts of the brain have different jobs.
This word means noticing your thoughts without judging them; being present.
Mindfulness
What is intentionally making someone doubt their reality? Manipulation so that someone feels uncertain about their world.
Gaslighting
TV therapists often give direct advice. Real therapists usually help you do this instead.
explore your own solutions/values/goals
Your thoughts are racing. You name 5 things you can...
See, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste (5-4-3-2-1)
Venting anger always makes you feel better.
Myth! Venting can increase anger; coping skills help more.
This is when your body reacts before you even think about it; F-F-F; instinctual response to fear/panic.
Fight or Flight (or freeze) response
What is setting boundaries?
What is communicating what is okay and not okay for you?
hows often fix problems in one episode. Real therapy usually takes how long?
However long it needs! Likely much more than one session thats for sure!
You feel overwhelmed, so you slow your breathing
Memory works like a video camera.
Myth! Memory is reconstructive (or subject to being warped), not perfect.
This is when your thoughts jump to the worst‑case scenario; cognitive distortion
Catastrophizing
What is behavior that is consistently harmful, not just something you dislike?
Toxic; unhelpful; maladaptive
Characters often have sudden breakthroughs. Real change usually looks like...
small steps over time; slow progress; progress that is hard to see; little wins
You write down a worry and check if it’s realistic
Reality testing; fact-checking; thought-checking
Depression is just sadness.
Myth! Depression affects energy, thinking, sleep, and functioning... what else?
This is learning to change unhelpful thoughts into more balanced ones; a CBT skill
Cognitive restructuring
What is a narcissist?
What is a clinical personality pattern, not just someone who is selfish; makes those around them feel dumb so they can feel better
TV often shows hypnosis as mind control. In reality, hypnosis is this...
focused attention and relaxation; meditation; sleep-state
You take a break before reacting.
Trauma can affect the body as well as the mind.
Fact! Trauma can be visible or invisible to us and our memory.
This is when your brain fills in missing details of a memory without you realizing it.
Confabulation! Our memories are NOT perfect -- we fill in the blanks all the time without even noticing it.
What is a reaction shaped by past stress, not just any strong emotion? The body and the mind can both hold onto it...
Trauma!
Media often shows panic attacks as fainting. Real panic attacks usually involve this instead.
hyperventilation; racing heart; racing thoughts; numbing; tingling; clenching fists and toes; shortness of breath; fear; worry; dizziness; shaking; chest pain
You remind yourself of your strengths during a hard moment.
Positive self talk