"Only a Sith deals in absolutes." ~ Obi-Wan Kenobi

ATW Explained

When we identify a thought we’re having as an "absolute", we want it to raise a flag in our heads. Absolute thoughts tend to lead us to unhelpful emotions. Sad when we don’t have a real reason to be sad. Angry, when we don’t have a real reason to be angry. It’s time to check our thoughts. Some things are truly absolute though, so if we give ourselves an Absolute Thought Warning **(ATW)** we can, at least, pause our thinking to check.

REBT and SMART Recovery give us (DiBs) Disputing Irrational Beliefs and (DuBs) Disputing Unhelpful Beliefs, to check SMART Recovery’s absolute thoughts. https://www.smartrecovery.org/disputing-irrational-beliefs/

CBT gives us a list of Cognitive Distortions to check our Absolute Thoughts. (Check the sheet to see if there are things that you do.)

SMART Recover Successful Life Skills tells us “Verify Verify Verify” to make sure the thoughts we are having aren’t leading to messed up emotions that there is no need for.

Bottom line. We want to watch our Absolute Thoughts to make sure we aren't hurting ourselves for no reason.