In: Psychology
Farheen is a 28-year-old chemistry student but she has an intense anxiety concerning University Exams. While speaking to her friend she exhibited certain beliefs and cognitive distortions about her. Mentioned below are the statements which she often expresses, identify cognitive distortion in each statement and give a rationale of that as well. (Each statement ONLY has ONE cognitive distortion).
Answers-
Ø ‘I am nothing’ is the cognitive distortion. When we think of as ‘we are nothing’ it leads to hamper our confidence and can be a setback in our process of growth.
Ø ‘I always have to please’ is the cognitive distortion. This increases our burden to perform well in every situation.
Ø ‘I cannot cope’ is the distortion. This pessimistic view drives us into depression and our performance decreases. It gets implanted in our subconscious mind.
Ø ‘I cannot cope with anything’. This increases anxiety and our ability to look into the situation for betterment.
Ø ‘ I should be perfect’. We have to understand that nobody is perfect in anything, we should accept it. This will give us the confidence to look for better oppurtunities and strength.
Ø ‘I ruin everything’. Again very pessimistic and this breaks the confidence.
Ø ‘I have to be complete my degree with distinction or else I’m unable to do anything in my life’. Many examples show us that degree is not enough. All that we require is passion and knowledge.
Ø ‘This degree will bother me’. In this case, we are being extra cautious and overthinking something.