Cognitive Distortions Worksheet
By
HappierTherapy
Author bio
The Happier Therapy editorial team is made up of Masters and PhD counselling psychologists. Each worksheet is created by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The worksheet then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
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Cognitive distortions are internal mental filters or biases that increase misery, fuel anxiety, and make us feel bad about ourselves.
Cognitive distortions can also be defined as the exaggerated thought patterns or beliefs that often promote negative thinking.
Some common cognitive distortions include;
- Catastrophizing
- All-or-nothing thinking
- Overgeneralization
- Emotional reasoning
- Mind reading
- “Should’ statements
- Filtering
- Labeling
- Blaming
Cognitive distortions is often associated with mental health concerns and has been linked with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychotic episodes
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Stress
- Suicidal thoughts
What Are The Theories Behind This Worksheet?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you identify, interrupt and change distorted thoughts with a healthier, more balanced way of thinking.
Cognitive restructuring or cognitive reframing is a therapeutic process that falls under CBT. This process aims to reduce stress by cultivating more positive and functional thought habits.
Research shows that CBT is an effective process for readjusting automatic thoughts, improving moods, and fostering positive behaviours and a great sense of well-being.
How Will This Worksheet Help You?
This worksheet is intended to readjust negative automatic thoughts, improve moods, foster positive behaviour and establish a greater sense of well-being.
This worksheet will also help you to see the world more objectively and positively.
How Should You Use This Worksheet?
This worksheet should be used to challenge irrational, illogical, or harmful thoughts with rational, logical and positive thoughts.
Use this worksheet as a self-evaluation kit by providing answers to the questions below.
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References
1.-
Good Therapy. (© 2007-2022). 20 Cognitive Distortions and How They Affect Your Life. Available at: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/20-cognitive-distortions-and-how-they-affect-your-life-0407154. [Accessed October 21, 2022]
2.-
Positive Psychology. (© 2022). Cognitive Restructuring Techniques for Reframing Thoughts. Available at: https://positivepsychology.com/cbt-cognitive-restructuring-cognitive-distortions/. [Accessed November 14, 2022]