Source: # Understanding the thinking patterns of depression *From the book – Chapter 9: Depression and Low Mood* ## The thinking patterns of depression Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive therapy, described depression as involving a “negative triad”: a negative view of **self** (“I’m worthless”), of **the world** (“Nothing good ever happens”), and of **the future** (“It will always be like this”). Typical thinking errors include: - **All-or-nothing thinking:** “If I’m not perfect, I’m a failure.” - **Mind reading:** “They think I’m boring.” - **Overgeneralising:** “I failed once, so I always fail.” - **Filtering:** focusing only on negatives and ignoring positives. - **Emotional reasoning:** “I feel stupid, so I must be stupid.” - **Should statements:** “I should be coping better.” Learning to notice these patterns loosen their grip. [Read the full chapter – Chapter 9: Depression and Low Mood](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/9/) ## Stories from real life - [Grey Weeks](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/grey-weeks-33/) – Kavya, sixteen, used to dance in her room and chat for hours with her cousin in Chennai. Over the last two months she stopped answering calls,… - [The Quiet Farmer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-quiet-farmer-34/) – Ramesh, fifty-one, farms three acres near Nagpur. After two poor harvests and a loan he cannot repay, he has become silent and short-tempered. He no longer… - [After the Baby](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/after-the-baby-35/) – Fatima gave birth to a healthy girl six weeks ago in Dubai, far from her mother in Karachi. Everyone says she should be happy. Instead she… - [Grandfather Stops Reading](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/grandfather-stops-reading-36/) – Joseph, seventy-three, lives with his son's family in Kochi. Since his wife died last year and his knees stopped him from his daily walk, he has… More on this topic: [Depression and low mood – signs, causes and the way back](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/depression/) ## More questions - [What you can do for yourself?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-you-can-do-for-yourself/) - [Depression in men, women, and young people – what to know about depression](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/depression-in-men-women-and-young-people-what-to-know-about-depression/) - [Is it true that depression is just sadness; snap out of it?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-depression-is-just-sadness-snap-out-of-it/) - [Is it true that antidepressants change your personality or are always addictive?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-antidepressants-change-your-personality-or-are-always-addictive/) - [Is it true that only serious or dramatic events cause depression?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-only-serious-or-dramatic-events-cause-depression/) - [Is it true that talking about depression makes it worse?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-talking-about-depression-makes-it-worse/) - [Which is a key symptom of depression?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/which-is-a-key-symptom-of-depression/) - [What is true: major Depressive Disorder requires symptoms to last at least…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-major-depressive-disorder-requires-symptoms-to-last-at-least/) - [Which treatment is commonly used for depression?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/which-treatment-is-commonly-used-for-depression/) - [What is true: persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) is characterised by…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-persistent-depressive-disorder-dysthymia-is-characterised-by/) - [Is it sadness or depression? The signs to look for](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/sadness-or-depression/) - [What can I do for myself when I feel low?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-to-do-when-feeling-low/) [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [Contact](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/contact/) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/) --- *Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)