The stereotype of psychotherapy portrayed in popular books and movies is lying on the couch and saying whatever comes into your mind, while a kindly psychoanalyst listens and nods knowingly from time to time. After years and years, something wonderful… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat. — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer, because most cancer patients feel hope as well as self-esteem.” — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the "bad" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a)… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
I had the fear of heights when I was young, along with many other fears and phobias, including the fear of dogs, bees, horses,… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“The attitude that depression is necessary strikes me as destructive, inhuman, and victimizing.” — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“know about the brain's hardware and software. How does the firing of a nerve or a series of nerves get translated into a thought… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“There was nothing dreadfully wrong with me, I was just upsetting myself with my irrational thinking. I just couldn't admit it until I knew… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“And most important, nobody could love or relate to you. It would be impossible to feel any love for someone who was flawless and… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
Negative thinking patterns can be immensely deceptive and persuasive, and change is rarely easy. But with patience and persistence, I believe that nearly all… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
“Many research studies, as well as my own clinical experience, have confirmed that severely depressed patients who appear very "biologically" depressed with lots of… — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept your imperfections, that's their fault. — David D. Burns Copy Share Image
