Should and must statements, overgeneralisation, mental filtering and questions that have no answers?

Watch Dr Tham’s explanation of how the other cognitive errors can lead to dysfunctional thinking. Let’s see how you go at practicing at how address examples of dysfunctional thinking and unhelpful thinking.

1. Should and Must statements?

What are “should and must” statements?

Definition: This is when you use words that are extreme and make things worse than they really are.

Such words are: “should”, “never”, “always”, “no-one”, “nothing”, “everyone”, “everything”, “have to”, “must”, “can’t”, “won’t”

2. Overgeneralisation

What is overgeneralisation?

Definition: When you make sweeping and exaggerated statements based on limited information or a single event.

3. Mental Filtering

What is mental filtering?

Definition: When you focus on your weaknesses or on a bad event and ignore the good things you have done.

4. Questions that have no answers

What are Questions that have no answers?

Definition: Questions you ask yourself that are unhelpful and generally pointless.