Cognitive Distortions Worksheet

Cognitive Distortions Worksheet Overview

When we are feeling very sad, worried, or upset, sometimes our brains can get stuck in certain “modes,” or ways of thinking. These are ways of thinking that aren’t actually true, but feel true in the moment. For example, if you make one mistake, your brain might distort the meaning of this mistake and see it as evidence of “always” making mistakes and getting things wrong. When we can name cognitive distortions, it can be easier to pause and look at a situation from a new perspective. Here are six common distortion “modes” and some examples of what they sound like

This cognitive distortions worksheet will go over the following cognitive distortions you may experience and help you practice looking at a situation in a new way:

• Fortune Teller Mode
• Mind Reader Mode
• All-or-Nothing Mode
• All My Fault Mode
• I Should / I Must Mode
• Ignoring the Positive Mode

This is a generic cognitive distortions worksheet and will work for most cases. If needed, we also have additional cognitive distortions worksheets that contain examples and other helpful details for specific disorders and situations:

• Cognitive Distortions for Depression
• Cognitive Distortions Worksheet for Teens
• Cognitive Distortions Worksheet for Kids