Reframing our thoughts is a strategy to change the way we think about a situation, person, or relationship. Sometimes, we can get stuck in thought patterns that negatively impact our mood and behavior. There are ways to challenge our thoughts in order to change the way we think. We can start by asking ourselves questions. These might include:
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Is there another way to look at this situation?
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What are some other possible explanations?
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Are my thoughts true?
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Are my thoughts realistic?
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What advice would I give my friend if they were thinking or feeling this way?
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What is the worst thing that could happen? How could I manage it?
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What is the best thing that could happen?
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Have I been through a situation like this before? How did I manage it successfully?
Once we have thought about the situation, we can more easily change the way we think about it. Families and caregivers can help model this skill by talking through various situations together. The visual pictured and linked below provides examples.
Reframing our Thoughts Visual .png "opens in new window")
Additional resources
My Thoughts Story
Automatic Negative Thoughts
All Mental Health Visuals