ABSTRACT
Part of the problem associated with the effects of negative thoughts described in the previous chapter come from the fact that negative automatic thoughts often seem rather exaggerated. For example, a depressed client who defines himself as a ‘failure’ may persist in this thought often in spite of being recognised by others as a good husband and father. Beck become very skilled in identified these ‘cognitive distortions’ and giving them descriptor terms – ‘labelling’ in the case just described. These descriptor terms can enable clients to become more aware of their negative thinking. The chapter gives a list of commonly experienced cognitive distortions – including ‘labelling’ as described and others such as ‘Catastrophisation’ – again to enable clients to understand their own negative thinking better. ‘Catastrophisation’ – for example, “I will make a fool of myself’ – is common in anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety.
