Written by Albert Ellis for the Institute of Rational Emotive Therapy
- I MUST have sincere love and approval almost all the time from all the people who I find significant.
- I SHOULD be THOROUGHLY competent, adequate and achieving in all possible respects.
- Some people ARE bad, wicked, or vile and SHOULD (or MUST) be punished.
- If things do not go (or stay) the way I very much want them to, it would be AWFUL, CATASTOPHIC or TERRIBLE!
- Unhappiness is EXTERNALLY caused and I CANNOT control it (unless I control the other person).
- One SHOULD remain upset or worried if faced with a dangerous or fearsome reality.
- It is EASIER to avoid responsibility and difficulties than to face them.
- I have a RIGHT to be dependent and people (or someone) SHOULD be strong enough to rely on (or take care of me).
- My early childhood experiences MUST continue to CONTROL me and determine my emotions and behavior!
- I SHOULD become upset over my and other people’s problems or behavior.
- There is invariably ONE right, precise, and PERFECT solution and it would be TERRIBLE or CATASTROPHIC if this perfect solution is not found.
- The world (and especially other people) SHOULD be fair, and justice (or mercy) MUST triumph.
