Red Flag Words
One way to change our thinking is to look out for Red Flag Words. Red Flag Words appear in really common unhelpful thoughts. They can make pain worse and harder to deal with.
What are some examples of Red Flag Words?
How can I change my thinking when I want to use Red Flag Words?
Pay attention to these words when you hear yourself use them.
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Always
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Never
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Every
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No one
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Everyone
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All the time
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Must
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Should
Changing the Red Flag Word to something less extreme can help. Words to use instead include...
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Sometimes
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Some
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Could
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May
Example:
Instead of: "I am in a lot of pain all the time."
Try: "My pain can be bad, but there are still days when it's better."
Thorn, Beverly & Eyer, Joshua & Van Dyke, Benjamin & Morais, Calia & Block, Phoebe & DeMonte, Colette & DeMonte, William & Newman, Andrea. (2017). Learning About Managing Pain (LAMP): Patient Workbook.
© Desiree R. Azizoddin, Board of Regents of University of Oklahoma, 2022.