- Self-Defeating Beliefs. These are irrational beliefs that lead to problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and relationship problems. Most stress and unhappiness is rooted in self-defeating beliefs. As part of therapy, it is essential that you identify and work on changing these harmful beliefs. This questionnaire will help you better understand which of these are a problem for you. Changing self-defeating/irrational beliefs is the basis for cognitive/behavioral therapy - one of the most effective forms of therapy known, and used at Cheer Counseling. http://www.testandcalc.com/Self_Defeating_Beliefs/questtxt.asp