10 unreasonable beliefs that are common in depressed people
Albert Ellis specifies the following 10 examples of unreasonable beliefs that are common in depressed people:
- I must be liked or accepted by every person in my life, for almost everything I do.
- I must be successful, skilled and achieve lots in everything I do if I'm to consider myself worthwhile.
- It is awful and terrible when things are not the way I would like them to be. Things should be different.
- I must feel anxious, upset and need to get away if something is or may be, dangerous.
- Human sadness is caused by something beyond our control so people have little or no ability to control their negative feelings.
- It is easier to avoid facing many of life's difficulties and responsibilities than to face them.
- The past is all important, so if something once strongly affected my life, it cannot be changed.
- When people act badly or unfairly, I blame them and view them as completely bad or pathetic, including myself.
- Maximum happiness can be achieved by not doing anything, or by passively enjoying oneself.
- Everyone should be dependent on others and I need someone stronger than myself on whom I can rely.
