Recognizing Cognitive Distortions: All-or-Nothing Thinking A cognitive distortion is an automatic way of repeatedly interpreting a situation that causes us to not consider other ways of thinking about it. When we over-rely on cognitive distortions, we usually interpret events in such a way that fuels emotions such as anxiety, depression, or anger. All-or-nothing thinking isContinue reading “All-or-nothing thinking”
Category Archives: CBT-Techniques
Overgeneralizing
Cognitive Distortions: Overgeneralizing Overgeneralizing is a cognitive distortion that results in some pretty significant errors in thinking and has the potential to cause us a lot of unnecessary emotional pain. When we draw a faulty conclusion about something based on just one example, we are overgeneralizing. This can take many forms. We may, for example,Continue reading “Overgeneralizing”
Negative filtering
Common Cognitive Distortions: Negative Filtering Negative Filtering is a common cognitive distortion, and most of us do it from time to time. Simply, it is filtering out all of the positive information about a specific situation, and only allowing in the negative information. In other words, negative filtering is focusing on negative things and discountingContinue reading “Negative filtering”
Mind reading
Cognitive distortions are errors or biases in thinking that can lead to faulty assumptions, and can worsen mood. Cognitive Therapy teaches that much of what fuels depression and anxiety are patterns of distorted thinking. Thus to reduce depression and anxiety, it can be very helpful to learn to recognize and respond to common cognitive distortions.Continue reading “Mind reading”
Fortune-telling
Cognitive Distortion: Fortune Telling Fortune telling is a cognitive distortion in which you predict a negative outcome without realistically considering the actual odds of that outcome. It is linked to anxiety and depression, and is one of the most common cognitive distortions that arise during the course of cognitive restructuring. We have to be ableContinue reading “Fortune-telling”
Catastrophizing
Cognitive Distortions Definition of Catastrophizing The cognitive distortion of catastrophizing is pretty much what you might think it is: making something into a catastrophe when it’s not. When we catastrophize, we tell our selves that something is so awful, so terrible, that we won’t be able to handle it. That we would fall apart, orContinue reading “Catastrophizing”
Identifying Cognitive Distortions
Restructure Your Thoughts by Recognizing Cognitive Distortions The human mind is an incredibly efficient machine. Because of it, we can take in new information, store it, and synthesize it with other information to create new ideas. This complex process results in all of the marvels of human ingenuity from the invention of the wheel toContinue reading “Identifying Cognitive Distortions”
Acceptance Exercises
Acceptance Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Worry People who have difficulty controlling their anxiety generally worry a lot about a lot of things. This is known as generalized anxiety. One factor that often fuels generalized anxiety is difficulty accepting the absence of certainty. For most people, uncertainty about important areas of life is unpleasant. It mayContinue reading “Acceptance Exercises”
Constructive-WORRY
Control Your Worrying with Constructive Worry vs. Unconstructive Worry People who worry often believe their worrying helps them avoid the things they worry about. Worrying can feel as though it is helpful in preparation, problem solving, or securing a level of certainty or predictability. The reality is that worry can be helpful sometimes, but whenContinue reading “Constructive-WORRY”
Treating Thoughts as Guesses
Many people try cognitive behavioral therapy to learn how to better manage their emotions. Others seek help in curbing a destructive behavioral pattern, such as an addiction. In each case, one of the most powerful ways to help people change their emotions or behaviors is to start by helping them learn to change their thoughts.Continue reading “Treating Thoughts as Guesses”
3L HEALING 