Combating Distorting Thinking
The following exercise is designed to help you notice
and identify distorted thinking.
Read each sentence below and identify the style of distorted
thinking that it exemplifies.
Ever since Lisa I've never trusted
a redhead.
Quite a few people here seem smarter than I am.
If you'd be more sexually open, we'd have a much happier marriage.
I worked and raised these kids and look what thanks I get.
You're either for me or against me.
I could have enjoyed the picnic except the chicken was burnt.
I feel depressed. Life must be pointless.
You can't fight the system.
It's your fault we're always in the hole each month.
He was a loser from the first day he showed up.
It isn't fair that you go out and have fun while I'm stuck doing homework.
He's always smiling, but I know he doesn’t like me.
I don't care what you think, I'd do it exactly the same way again.
We haven't seen each other for
two days and I think the relationship is falling apart.
You should never ask people personal questions.
Once you have began to recognize
the distorted thoughts write counter thoughts to them.
For example:
Not
all redheads are like Lisa and I can trust them.
I am a smart person.
We have a good marriage and I can help by being more open myself.
Kids don’t always remember to say thank you but I am a good father/mother.
I am not responsible for other people’s thoughts about me.
I enjoyed the picnic.
I feel depressed but I can use coping skills to get through it.
If I have patience I can learn to get what I need.
We can work as a team to manage our finances.
He is different from the rest of us and we can make him feel more comfortable.
I am doing homework so I can have a good future.
I can’t read people’s minds.
I can be pleased with the things I have done without worrying about other people’s opinions.
I will not push things or predict the future.
I
can ask people personal questions but it is up to them if they answer or not.