One patient knew his job application was rejected because he did not graduate from
technical school, yet saw the rejection as a demonstration of lack of love.

An author's fiction was rejected by a nonfiction publisher; still, the rejection was mis-
interpreted as an aspersion on his ability to write.

A man whose mother with Alzheimer's disease accused him of stealing thought, "She
really hates me, doesn't she?" and became depressed even though he knew that, because
she no longer recognized him and believed that it was a stranger stealing her things, no
rejection was consciously intended.

A patient met a man for the first time. He made a date with her, but subsequently summarily
canceled, saying, "I will call you in a few days." The patient became depressed because
her immediate reaction was to assume either that the man would not call or that he would
make a date, then call to cancel again, and that she could expect this treatment from all
men.