by Albert Ellis

Irrational Idea #1: The idea that it is a dire necessity for an adult human being to be loved or approved by virtually every significant other person in his community.

Irrational Idea #2: The idea that one should be thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving in all possible respects if one is to consider oneself worthwhile.

Irrational Idea #3: The idea that certain people are bad, wicked, or villainous and that they should be severely blamed and punished for their villainy.

Irrational Idea #4: The idea that it is awful and catastrophic when things are not the way one would very much like them to be.

Irrational Idea #5: The idea that human unhappiness is externally caused and that people have little or no ability to control their sorrows and disturbances.

Irrational Idea #6: The idea that if something is or may be dangerous or fearsome, one should be terribly concerned about it and should keep dwelling on the possibility of its occurring.

Irrational Idea #7: The idea that it is easier to avoid than to face certain life difficulties and self responsibilities.

Irrational Idea #8: The idea that one should be dependent on others and needs someone stronger than oneself on whom to rely.

Irrational Idea #9: The idea that one’s past history is an all-important determiner of one’s present behavior and that because something once strongly affected one’s life, it should indefinitely have a similar effect.

Irrational Idea #10: The idea that one should become quite upset over other peoples’ problems and disturbances.

Irrational Idea #11: The idea that there is invariably a right, precise, and perfect solution to human problems and that it is catastrophic if this perfect solution is not found.

Irrational Idea #12: You can achieve maximum human happiness by inertia or by passively, uncommittedly enjoying yourself.