Challenging
your thoughts

act like a scientist and test the validity
of your thoughts. challenge them!

Is this thought absolutely true?

What if the opposite were true?

What am I predicting? How realistic is this?

What is a more realistic or balanced thought?

Am I confusing this thought with a fact?

Challenging
your thoughts

Ask yourself...

Am I confusing this thought
with a fact or jumping to
conclusions?

What is a more helpful
thought?

If my friend had this
thought, what would I say
to them?

What is the worst thing that
could realistically happen &
what could I do to cope
with it if it did?

Am I assuming that my
view of things is the only
one possible?

Challenging
your thoughts

Ask yourself...

How does thinking this way
affect me? What are the
advantages/disadvantages?

Am I asking myself questions
that have no answers? Or are
they out of my control?

Am I concentrating on my
weak points & ignoring my
strengths?

Am I expecting too much of
myself?

Am I ruminating on how
things "should be" instead
of accepting & dealing with
reality?

Challenging
your thoughts

Ask yourself...

Am I taking something too
personally or taking responsibility
for something I don’t need to?

Is this a double standard?
(would I say this to a friend?)

Am I overestimating the
threat/chances of disaster?

Am I assuming I have no
control or influence to
change my situation?

Am I predicting the future
or assuming I know what
others are thinking?