True/False
ANTS are negative thoughts that pop into your head and cause you to feel negative emotions.
True
My best friend SHOULD always play with only me. If he doesn't it means he doesn't like me.
He can have lots of friends, but I am still his favorite.
SHOULD ANT
Name something that is in your circle of control.
I made a bad grade on my test. I'm a FAILURE.
Labeling Ant
Fill in the blank.
If I can change my___________, I can change my feelings and actions.
Thoughts
Thoughts are like a superpower!
True....thoughts become things so it's important to focus on positive thoughts.
She looked at me funny in the hallway, I bet she is mad at me.
Answers vary...Mind Reading ANT
Name something that is out of your circle of control.
I shouldn't need to come to after school math tutoring.
SHOULD/MUST ANT
How likely is it that something bad will really happen?
YES...that's great way to squash an ANT.
Thoughts start a chain reaction....that leads to feelings and behaviors
True
I have no friends.
I have some friends.
ALL or Nothing ANT
Answers may vary
To quote FROZEN...if something is out of my control, I should....
Let it GO!!!
Overgeneralizing or Fortune Telling ANT
Does asking yourself....What would I say to my friend about this problem? help you to squash an ANT.
Yes! That's a great strategy.
"I'll never be good at math." is a helpful thought.
False
The school lunch was gross today...my whole day is ruined!!
At least I had something to eat today. Tomorrow it might be better.
Catastrophizing Ant
Tell about a time when you focused too much on something that was out of your circle of control. How did it make you feel?
Answers vary
It's John's fault that I got in trouble during lunch time.
Blaming ANT
True or False: Asking yourself if your problem will matter in a week, month, or year is NOT a helpful way to squash ANTS.
False...it can be very helpful to ask yourself this question.
I can feel less anxious/worried when I constantly ask myself What IF...questions.
False
I'm weird.
I like different things than most kids do. I am unique.
Labeling ANT
True or False: When I am worried about something, one thing that can help me is to focus on what I DO have control of....
True...we can't control the weather, but we can have a safety plan, be weather aware, and stay updated by watching the forecast.
The teacher looked at me weird. She thinks I am cheating on my assignment.
Mind Reading ANT
List three types of ANTS
Labeling, SHOULD/MUST, catastrophizing, Fortune Telling, Mind Reading, All or Nothing, Overgeneralizing, Blaming