Empathos

Mistaken Beliefs Questionnaire

The Mistaken Beliefs Questionnaire, from Edmund Bourne's work on anxiety, identifies limiting beliefs that can fuel anxiety and low self-worth. It groups them into areas such as powerlessness, dependency on love, need for approval, achievement-based worth, perfectionism, and distrust or need for control. 57 items; about 10 minutes.

Rate how much you agree with each statement.

Your Name Client Code (provided by your therapist)

Question 1 of 57

I feel powerless or helpless.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 2 of 57

Often I feel like a victim of outside circumstances.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 3 of 57

I don't have the money to do what I really want.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 4 of 57

There is seldom enough time to do what I want.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 5 of 57

Life is very difficult -- it's a struggle.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 6 of 57

If things are going well, watch out!

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 7 of 57

I feel unworthy; I feel that I'm not good enough.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 8 of 57

Often I feel that I don't deserve to be successful or happy.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 9 of 57

Often I feel a sense of defeat and resignation: Why bother!

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 10 of 57

My condition seems helpless.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 11 of 57

There is something fundamentally wrong with me.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 12 of 57

I feel ashamed of my condition.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 13 of 57

If I take risks to get better, I'm afraid I'll fail.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 14 of 57

If I take risks to get better, I'm afraid I'll succeed.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 15 of 57

If I recovered fully, I might have to deal with realities I'd rather not face.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 16 of 57

I feel like I'm nothing (or can't make it) unless I am loved.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 17 of 57

I can't stand being separated from others.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 18 of 57

If a person I love doesn't love me in return, I feel like it's my fault.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 19 of 57

It's very hard to be alone.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 20 of 57

What others think of me is very important.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 21 of 57

I feel personally threatened when criticized.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 22 of 57

It's important to please others.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 23 of 57

People won't like me if they see who I really am.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 24 of 57

I need to keep up a front or others will see my weaknesses.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 25 of 57

I have to achieve or produce something significant in order to feel okay about myself.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 26 of 57

My accomplishments at work/school are extremely important.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 27 of 57

Success is everything.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 28 of 57

I have to be the best at what I do.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 29 of 57

I have to be somebody -- somebody outstanding.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 30 of 57

To fail is terrible.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 31 of 57

I can't rely on others for help.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 32 of 57

I can't receive from others.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 33 of 57

If I let someone get too close, I'm afraid of being controlled.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 34 of 57

I can't tolerate being out of control.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 35 of 57

I'm the only one who can solve my problems.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 36 of 57

I should always be very generous and unselfish.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 37 of 57

I should be the perfect employee/professional/spouse/parent/friend.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 38 of 57

I should be able to endure any hardship.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 39 of 57

I should be able to find a quick solution to every problem.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 40 of 57

I should never be tired or fatigued.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 41 of 57

I should always be efficient.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 42 of 57

I should always be competent.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 43 of 57

I should always be able to foresee everything.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 44 of 57

I should never be angry or irritable.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 45 of 57

I should always be pleasant or nice no matter how I feel.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 46 of 57

I often feel ugly, inferior, unintelligent, or guilty/ashamed.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 47 of 57

I'm just the way I am -- I can't really change.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 48 of 57

The world outside is a dangerous place.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 49 of 57

Unless you worry about a problem it just gets worse.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 50 of 57

It's risky to trust people.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 51 of 57

My problems will go away on their own with time.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 52 of 57

I feel anxious about making mistakes.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 53 of 57

I demand perfection of myself.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 54 of 57

If I didn't have my safe person (or safe place), I'm afraid I couldn't cope.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 55 of 57

If I stop worrying, I'm afraid something bad will happen.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 56 of 57

I'm afraid to face the world out there on my own.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Question 57 of 57

My self-worth isn't a given -- it has to be earned.

Not at all Somewhat/Sometimes Strongly/Frequently Very strongly

Your responses are confidential.

Thank you

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