Which Irrational Ideas Are You?

Rate yourself 1 (never do this) to 10 (always do this) on each idea:


1. Emotionally Dependent- 7
The idea that we must have love and approval from all the people we find significant. Placing undue importance on what other people think of us.

2. The Perfectionist- 6
The idea that our personal worth is determined by our performance and achievement. We must always prove competent and flawless in order to be considered of value as a human being.

3. The Blamer- 3
The idea that when people act obnoxiously and unfairly toward us, they are Wrong and we should judge them and blame them.

4. The Catastrophizer- 7
The idea that when things don’t go our way, or when we’re frustrated, treated unfairly, or rejected, that we must view things as awful, terrible, horrible and a catastrophe.

5. Helpless- 3
The idea that emotional misery comes from external pressures and causes outsides ourselves.

6. The Worrier- 4
The idea that if something seems dangerous, fearsome, or threatening we naturally preoccupy ourselves with it, and should be anxious about it.

7. A Cop-Out- 5
The idea that life is easier if you avoid difficulties and challenges; that it is smart to leave responsibilities and self-discipline to others.

8. Stuck in the Past- 2
The idea that our past determines our present; that our past remains all-important, and because something once strongly influenced our lives, it still determines our thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the present.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 3
The idea that people and things should turn out better than they do, and that we have a right to feel cheated and upset when people and things are not the way we believe or want them to be.

10. A Drop-Out- 6
The idea that the greatest happiness follows from the path of least resistance; that we can achieve maximum satisfaction by passively and uncommittedly “enjoying ourselves.”

11. Lack of Control- 6
The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that we cannot help feeling disturbed about things.

1. Emotionally Dependent- 3
The idea that we must have love and approval from all the people we find significant. Placing undue importance on what other people think of us.

2. The Perfectionist- 2
The idea that our personal worth is determined by our performance and achievement. We must always prove competent and flawless in order to be considered of value as a human being.

3. The Blamer- 3
The idea that when people act obnoxiously and unfairly toward us, they are Wrong and we should judge them and blame them.

4. The Catastrophizer- 2
The idea that when things don’t go our way, or when we’re frustrated, treated unfairly, or rejected, that we must view things as awful, terrible, horrible and a catastrophe.

5. Helpless- 3
The idea that emotional misery comes from external pressures and causes outsides ourselves.

6. The Worrier- 2
The idea that if something seems dangerous, fearsome, or threatening we naturally preoccupy ourselves with it, and should be anxious about it.

7. A Cop-Out- 4
The idea that life is easier if you avoid difficulties and challenges; that it is smart to leave responsibilities and self-discipline to others.

8. Stuck in the Past- 2
The idea that our past determines our present; that our past remains all-important, and because something once strongly influenced our lives, it still determines our thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the present.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 1
The idea that people and things should turn out better than they do, and that we have a right to feel cheated and upset when people and things are not the way we believe or want them to be.

10. A Drop-Out- 6
The idea that the greatest happiness follows from the path of least resistance; that we can achieve maximum satisfaction by passively and uncommittedly “enjoying ourselves.”

11. Lack of Control- 4
The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that we cannot help feeling disturbed about things.

I don't believe a lot of those are irrational. Of course we need love and acceptance to survive, for instance. Or course we have no control over our emotions and cannot help but feel disturbed about things. These are not irrational. They are reality for many of us, and are just a different kind of experience from those who are built differently, apparently.

1. Emotionally Dependent- 4
The idea that we must have love and approval from all the people we find significant. Placing undue importance on what other people think of us.

2. The Perfectionist- 10
The idea that our personal worth is determined by our performance and achievement. We must always prove competent and flawless in order to be considered of value as a human being.

3. The Blamer- 4
The idea that when people act obnoxiously and unfairly toward us, they are Wrong and we should judge them and blame them.

4. The Catastrophizer- 5
The idea that when things don’t go our way, or when we’re frustrated, treated unfairly, or rejected, that we must view things as awful, terrible, horrible and a catastrophe.

5. Helpless- 6
The idea that emotional misery comes from external pressures and causes outsides ourselves.

6. The Worrier- 2
The idea that if something seems dangerous, fearsome, or threatening we naturally preoccupy ourselves with it, and should be anxious about it.

7. A Cop-Out- 2
The idea that life is easier if you avoid difficulties and challenges; that it is smart to leave responsibilities and self-discipline to others.

8. Stuck in the Past- 8
The idea that our past determines our present; that our past remains all-important, and because something once strongly influenced our lives, it still determines our thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the present.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 6
The idea that people and things should turn out better than they do, and that we have a right to feel cheated and upset when people and things are not the way we believe or want them to be.

10. A Drop-Out- 2
The idea that the greatest happiness follows from the path of least resistance; that we can achieve maximum satisfaction by passively and uncommittedly “enjoying ourselves.”

11. Lack of Control- 7
The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that we cannot help feeling disturbed about things.

1. Emotionally Dependent- 9
2. The Perfectionist- 7
3. The Blamer- 7
4. The Catastrophizer- 7
5. Helpless- 5
6. The Worrier- 5
7. A Cop-Out- 3
8. Stuck in the Past- 9
9. Trapped in SHOULD- 2
10. A Drop-Out- 5
11. Lack of Control- 5

1. Emotionally Dependent- 2 (My girlfriend is the only that can actually emotionally hurt me. )

2. The Perfectionist- 7. Survival of the fittest, baby.

3. The Blamer- 0. Criticism is a great thing as long as it is constructive.

4. The Catastrophizer- 0.

5. Helpless- 0.

6. The Worrier- 0. Fear only paralyzes people from facing threats and does not accomplish anything.

7. A Cop-Out- 0. What is a life if there is no struggle?

8. Stuck in the Past- 0.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 0. Nothing SHOULD be done, however, things CAN be done.

10. A Drop-Out- 0. Struggle is what makes life valuable.

11. Lack of Control- 0. Emotions can be repressed..the thing is: should they?

1. Emotionally Dependent- 8
The idea that we must have love and approval from all the people we find significant. Placing undue importance on what other people think of us.

2. The Perfectionist- 6
The idea that our personal worth is determined by our performance and achievement. We must always prove competent and flawless in order to be considered of value as a human being.

3. The Blamer- 2
The idea that when people act obnoxiously and unfairly toward us, they are Wrong and we should judge them and blame them.

4. The Catastrophizer- 1
The idea that when things don’t go our way, or when we’re frustrated, treated unfairly, or rejected, that we must view things as awful, terrible, horrible and a catastrophe.

5. Helpless- 1
The idea that emotional misery comes from external pressures and causes outsides ourselves.

6. The Worrier- 1
The idea that if something seems dangerous, fearsome, or threatening we naturally preoccupy ourselves with it, and should be anxious about it.

7. A Cop-Out- 1
The idea that life is easier if you avoid difficulties and challenges; that it is smart to leave responsibilities and self-discipline to others.

8. Stuck in the Past- 1
The idea that our past determines our present; that our past remains all-important, and because something once strongly influenced our lives, it still determines our thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the present.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 5
The idea that people and things should turn out better than they do, and that we have a right to feel cheated and upset when people and things are not the way we believe or want them to be.

10. A Drop-Out- 4
The idea that the greatest happiness follows from the path of least resistance; that we can achieve maximum satisfaction by passively and uncommittedly “enjoying ourselves.”

11. Lack of Control- 3
The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that we cannot help feeling disturbed about things.

Originally Posted by Marino

1. Emotionally Dependent- 2 (My girlfriend is the only that can actually emotionally hurt me. )

2. The Perfectionist- 7. Survival of the fittest, baby.

3. The Blamer- 0. Criticism is a great thing as long as it is constructive.

4. The Catastrophizer- 0.

5. Helpless- 0.

6. The Worrier- 0. Fear only paralyzes people from facing threats and does not accomplish anything.

7. A Cop-Out- 0. What is a life if there is no struggle?

8. Stuck in the Past- 0.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 0. Nothing SHOULD be done, however, things CAN be done.

10. A Drop-Out- 0. Struggle is what makes life valuable.

11. Lack of Control- 0. Emotions can be repressed..the thing is: should they?

12. Mary Poppins- 9
Practically perfect in every way.

1. Emotionally Dependent- 2
(I do this only with those that I am in an intimate relationship with and even then I wouldn't say that I need emotional support 100% of the time)


2.The Perfectionist- 4
(I do this a little less than half the time. I know our personal worth is not dependent on acheivement. However, I know I have a problem with this sometimes and will judge myself not good enough and others at times as well. I'm working on it.)

3. The Blamer - 2
(Generally I am not a blamer. I am human however, and can sometimes fall into the trap of blame.)

4. The Catastrophizer - 1
The way this has been worded, I would give it a "0" except that I have been in dire situations in my life, when I did feel this way. It took a hell of a lot to get me there, but I still got there, so I have to honestly give a "1" for catastrophizing. Otherwise, I'm a very strong person.

5. Helpless- 1
Almost never. We are are always in control of how we respond to things. I have been in the depths of despair a few times in my life though, so again, I would have to give a "1" to this. Otherwise, helplessness is anathema to me.

6. The Worrier- 1
The only time I worry is ocasionally when I feel worry over the safety of those that I love. Other than that, my general belief is that worry is pointless and counter productive.

7. A Cop-Out- 3
I do this in instances like family members who I only have a superficial relationship with and also with co-workers and others who I feel there is no connection with.

8. Stuck in the Past- 1
I really do not believe our past is to blame for our present. I have on ocassion though, let myself get mired in past hurts. Generally speaking though, I live in the present and look toward the future.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 6
I do this too much. I need to lighten up on myself and others

10. A Drop-Out- 7
hmmm...I am a drop-out in a lot of ways...not all...but too many

11. Lack of Control- 2
Rarely. I have a healthy knowledge that we are in control and have choices. Only in extremely emotionally threatening circumstances, do I start to fear a lack of control.

1. Emotionally Dependent- 5? (Sometimes I want it and sometimes I couldn't care less)
The idea that we must have love and approval from all the people we find significant. Placing undue importance on what other people think of us.

2. The Perfectionist- 10
The idea that our personal worth is determined by our performance and achievement. We must always prove competent and flawless in order to be considered of value as a human being.

3. The Blamer- 1
The idea that when people act obnoxiously and unfairly toward us, they are Wrong and we should judge them and blame them.

4. The Catastrophizer- 4
The idea that when things don’t go our way, or when we’re frustrated, treated unfairly, or rejected, that we must view things as awful, terrible, horrible and a catastrophe.

5. Helpless- 5
The idea that emotional misery comes from external pressures and causes outsides ourselves.

6. The Worrier- 2
The idea that if something seems dangerous, fearsome, or threatening we naturally preoccupy ourselves with it, and should be anxious about it.

7. A Cop-Out- 4
The idea that life is easier if you avoid difficulties and challenges; that it is smart to leave responsibilities and self-discipline to others.

8. Stuck in the Past- 3
The idea that our past determines our present; that our past remains all-important, and because something once strongly influenced our lives, it still determines our thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the present.

9. Trapped in SHOULD- 3-7 (3 for people other than myself, 7 for things and for myself)
The idea that people and things should turn out better than they do, and that we have a right to feel cheated and upset when people and things are not the way we believe or want them to be.

10. A Drop-Out-2
The idea that the greatest happiness follows from the path of least resistance; that we can achieve maximum satisfaction by passively and uncommittedly “enjoying ourselves.”

11. Lack of Control- 2
The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that we cannot help feeling disturbed about things.

I feel as if there should be some sort of anal way to add these up and score them somehow to determine something...