The Thought Record (TR) also known in an earlier version as the Dysfunctional Thoughts Record (DTR) by (Beck et al., 1979), is a style of thought record which encourages identification of any cognitive biases / cognitive errors which are operating. This thought record can also be used to identify characteristic ways in which an individual’s cognitive styles are distorted. And human beings can change the quality of their lives. If you change your thinking, you will improve your life. The basic idea of CBT is that you thinking determines your quality of life. It is a step by step method for identifying your negative thinking and replacing it with healthier thinking. It can change your inner dialogue. If we are feeling happy and excited, chances are we have been thinking positive thoughts and about positive things. On the other hand, if we are feeling anxious, depressed and upset, it is likely that we have been thinking negative thoughts. In CBT client are asked to self-monitor their thoughts, feelings and behaviors outside. One of the most common and effective methods to do this by using a Dysfunctional Thought Record. A DTR collects information about specific situations. Automatic Thoughts and emotions are recorded that occurred with the situation. Then the client is asked to determine an alternative response and then re-evaluate how they feel. Helps client become aware of their automatic thoughts. Used as a teaching tool for clients to develop alternative thoughts and responses to situations. There are some dysfunctional thoughts given below. These thoughts may be inaccurate or distorted. All or nothing thinking (also called black and white, polarized, or dichotomous thinking): You view a situation in only two categories instead of on a continuum. Example: If I’m not a total success I m a failure. Catastrophizing: You predict the future negatively without considering other, more likely outcomes. Example: I’ll be so upset, I won’t be able to function at all. Personalization: Blaming yourself taking 100% responsibility for the occurrence of external events. Overgeneralization: Taking one instance in the past and present, and imposing it on all current / future situations. Should and Must: Making unreasonable demands or pressure on self or others. Labelling: Making global statements about ourselves or other based on behavior in specific situations. Emotional Reasoning: You think something must be true because you feel it so strongly, ignoring or discounting evidence to the contrary. Jumping to conclusions: Make a negative prediction for no reason. Magnification/minimization: When you evaluate yourself, another person or a situation, you unreasonably magnify the negative and / or minimize the positive. Mind reading: You believe you know what others are thinking, failing to consider other more likely possibilities.
