David D. Burns quotes

Negative thinking patterns can be immensely deceptive and persuasive, and change is rarely easy. But with patience and persistence, I believe that nearly all individuals suffering from depression can improve and experience a sense of joy and self-esteem once again. (David D. Burns)
Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that when you change the way you think, you can change the way you feel and behave. In other words, if we can learn to think about other people in a more positive and realistic way, it will be far easier to resolve conflicts and develop rewarding personal and professional relationships. View quote
David D. Burns
Perfectionism becomes a badge of honor with you playing the part of the suffering hero. View quote
David D. Burns
Every time you feel depressed about something, try to identify a corresponding negative thought you had just prior to and during the depression. Because these thoughts have actually created your bad mood, by learning to restructure them, you can change your mood. View quote
David D. Burns
A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat. View quote
David D. Burns
Kindness is the cause of all anxiety. View quote
David D. Burns
Practically everybody knows what its like to feel anxious, worried, nervous, afraid, uptight, or panicky. Often, anxiety is just a nuisance, but sometimes it can cripple you and prevent you from doing what you really want with your life. But I have some great news for you: You can change the way you feel. View quote
David D. Burns
Regret has a purpose. It's like the oil light on the dashboard of your life, telling you something needs to be fixed. So fix it. And feel better. View quote
David D. Burns
When two people respect each other, the ability to be vulnerable and to reveal hurt feelings can create a powerful emotional connection that is the source of real intimacy and friendship. View quote
David D. Burns
Learning to accept failure on multiple levels is, to my way of thinking, the key to become a world-class therapist. But that means humility, and setting your ego aside, while you develop superb new technical skills. View quote
David D. Burns
Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept your imperfections, that's their fault. (David D. Burns)
Perfection' is man's ultimate illusion. It simply doesn't exist in the universe.... If you are a perfectionist, you are guaranteed to be a loser in whatever you do. View quote
David D. Burns
Depression has been called the world's number one public health problem. In fact, depression is so widespread it is considered the common cold of psychiatric disturbances. But there is a grim difference between depression and a cold. Depression can kill you. View quote
David D. Burns
That's one of the peculiar things about bad moods - we often fool ourselves and create misery by telling ourselves things that simply are not true. View quote
David D. Burns
Depression can seem worse than terminal cancer, because most cancer patients feel loved and they have hope and self-esteem. View quote
David D. Burns
Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve the problem rather than finding the truth in what the person is saying. View quote
David D. Burns
You feel the way you do right now because of the thoughts you are thinking at this moment. View quote
David D. Burns
Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person. View quote
David D. Burns
You're not a bad person. But you sometimes do bad things. You know what that makes you? Human. View quote
David D. Burns
The best way to confront your fears it to stop avoiding the situation you're most afraid of. View quote
David D. Burns
Can you predict the future with absolute certainty? Your answer must be no. You have two options: You can either decide to accept yourself as an imperfect human being with limited knowledge and realize that you will at times make mistakes, or you can hate yourself for it. (David D. Burns)
You don't have to do anything especially worthy to create or deserve self-esteem; all you have to do is turn off that critical, haranguing, inner voice. View quote
David D. Burns
Don't apologize for what you think you did wrong. Apologize for what they think you did wrong. View quote
David D. Burns
Forgiving yourself, not guilt, increases personal accountability. View quote
David D. Burns
Learn to accept your limits and you'll become a happier person. View quote
David D. Burns