eye contact, I didn’t say much or initiate 
conversation, or do 
anything to attract attention.There are several possibilities:
(1) I want to be 
left alone. (2) I 
am feeling bad.Most everyone at 
work left me alone. One person tried to 
talk to me but gave 
up.That I was uninteresting, a failure with 
nothing to 
contribute .I tried to recall times when people have listened to me. I tried 
to talk to others and 
notice if they seemed interested.
Sadness Withdraw. Isolate. Cry.My expression was downcast. My mouth turned down.
I was tearful. I told 
someone I was sad.That I was sad. (1) My boyfriend approached me, soothed me, and invited me to sit 
with him. (2) Some 
people avoided me.I am so sad. I am alone.  
No one cares.I reached out and noticed if someone responded. I thought about a time when I 
did not feel sad.
From DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition  by Marsha M. Linehan. Copyright 2015 by Marsha M. Linehan. Permission to photocopy this worksheet is granted to purchasers of 
this book for personal use only (see copyright page for details). Purchasers may download a larger version of this worksheet from www.guilford.com/dbt-  worksheets .