In REBT, unhealthy thoughts and beliefs are linked to which outcomes?

• A. Emotional Distress and Unhealthy Actions
• B. Increased Freedom
• C. Guided Imagery
• D. Enhanced Motivation

Answer: (A)

In REBT, what you believe about events shapes how you feel and how you behave. Irrational or extreme beliefs about a situation lead to emotional distress—like anxiety, anger, or depression—and to unhealthy actions such as avoidance, self-defeating behavior, or impulsive responses. The idea is that the distress comes from how you interpret the event, not the event itself, so unhealthy thoughts produce both negative emotions and inadequate or harmful actions. For example, thinking “I must perform perfectly in every test” can cause intense distress and lead to freezing up or avoiding studying, whereas more rational beliefs—“I can learn from this and do better next time”—reduce distress and support constructive behavior. The other options describe outcomes that don’t align with REBT’s focus on irrational beliefs driving distress and maladaptive actions.