How to Coach Yourself and Others Influencing, Inter Personal and Leadership Skills | Page 120

The way our thoughts become irrational is based on what is often described as ’The Ten
Cognitive Distortions’ and they are common in life for everyone at some point. The
difference is that those of us with bipolar or depression tend to have had them become
almost a way of life.
Albert Ellis has suggested three core beliefs or philosophies that humans tend to disturb
themselves through:

"I absolutely MUST, under
practically all conditions
and at all times, perform
well (or outstandingly well)
and win the approval (or
complete love) of
significant others. If I fail
in these important—and
sacred—respects, that is
awful and I am a bad,
incompetent, unworthy
person, who will probably
always fail and deserves to
suffer."

Holding this belief when
faced with adversity tends
to contribute to feelings
of anxiety,panic,
depression, despair, and
worthlessness.

"Other people with whom I
relate or associate,
absolutely MUST, under
practically all conditions
and at all times, treat me
nicely, considerately and
fairly. Otherwise, it is
terrible and they are
rotten, bad, unworthy
people who will always
treat me badly and do not
deserve a good life and
should be severely
punished for acting so
abominably to me."

"The conditions under
which I live absolutely
MUST, at practically all
times, be favorable, safe,
hassle-free, and quickly
and easily enjoyable, and if
they are not that way it's
awful and horrible and I
can't be "