Some Cognitive Distortions
Imagining the worst possible outcomes of a situation.
What is catastrophizing?
Thinking that the world "should" be a certain way and being upset when it's not.
What is "should's"?
"My case worker didn't call me this week; that means she hates me."
Mind reading.
This substance is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity.
What is Methamphetamine?
______ is a vague sense of continual dread to a specific paralyzing fear.
What is Anxiety?
Assuming that because you feel something, it must be true.
What is emotional reasoning?
Taking one situation and describing it in terms of "always" or "never".
What is overgeneralizing?
"I got an a B+ today--I never do anything right and I'm never going to graduate."
Overgeneralizing, catastrophizing.
This substance resembles the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is used to treat seizures, mood disorders, neuropathic pain, and off label for anxiety.
What is Gabapentin?
218-740-2354.
What is Mir's office number?
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 mental filter?
"It's my fault that I was abused as a child."
Personalization.
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, tremors, sweating, irregular heart rate, hypertension, nausea and vomiting, headaches, abdominal pain, and even psychosis and seizures are potential withdrawal symptoms from this substance.
What is alcohol?
This is a semipermeable border that separates the circulating blood from the brain in the central nervous system. This allows the passage of water, some gases, and lipid-soluble molecules by passive diffusion.
What is the blood-brain barrier?
Thinking in absolutes like "always," "never," or "every."
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
Assuming that life should be fair and being upset when it isn't.
What is the fairness fallacy?
"It's not fair! We broke the same law - they get probation and I have to sit jail time!"
What is the fairness fallacy?
This is a substance blocks the effects of opioids, especially in overdose - however it can also be combined with an opioid to treat opioid dependence. Oddly, if someone does have opioids in their system, it may cause increased sweating, nausea, restlessness, trembling, vomiting, flushing, headache, and more severe symptoms.
What is naloxone?
Focusing on the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.
What is mindfulness?
The belief that acts will influence unrelated situations.
What is magical thinking?
Believing that you are responsible for events that you have no control over.
What is personalization?
"I feel like running away and getting high, so I have to run away and get high."
Emotional Reasoning
This substance causes feelings of well-being, mental alertness, excitement and euphoria. It has similar effects as cocaine and amphetamines. It is traditionally chewed like the coca plant (the source of cocaine.)
What is Khat?
This neurotransmitter helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers.
What is dopamine?