Definition:
Thought records are used as part of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help identify problematic thought patterns. When used in the treatment of anxiety, a most basic thought record usually includes: the situation in which anxiety was felt, the specific symptoms experienced, the automatic thoughts that were generated and rational alternative thoughts.
For someone with social anxiety disorder (SAD), a thought record may look like this.
- Situation: speaking in front of a group
- Symptoms: shaking hands, pounding heart, blushing
- Automatic Thoughts: I'm horrible at this, everyone must think badly of me, everyone must notice how nervous I am.
- Alternative Thoughts: I'm managing okay, most people probably haven't noticed my nerves, even if they did they won't think badly of me because I'm nervous.
