Cognitive Distortions

Exaggerated irrational thinking that can lead to anxiety/depression - or continue the state of anxiety/depression. This causes people to have a wrong idea about reality - often a negative one. It reinforces negative thoughts and emotions. Part of the CBT model.

  • Black or white thinking: Everything is good or bad - no in-between.
  • Over generalization: Creating sweeping generalizations from one event. Eg. I failed this exam, so I'm a bad student.
  • Cognitive Filtering: Only looking at the negative aspects of something.
  • Disqualifying the good: Finding rational to ignore and minimize the good things. Eg. "Anyone could have done that."
  • Jumping to conclusions: Coming to conclusions with very little data.
    • Mind Reading: Guessing others thoughts/mental state - usually in a negative light for oneself.
    • Fortune telling: Predicting (usually bad) outcomes
  • Emotional Reasoning: I feel this, so it must be true
  • Rigid Rule Keeping: Have a list of shoulds and musts that can't be broken.
  • Catastrophising / Worst case scenario-ing: Imagining/preparing for the worst case scenario.
  • Labeling/Self Labeling: Close to Generalization. Labeling oneself or others based on a single event.
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CBT

CBT is a Therapy model that focus on the reducing or managing symptoms of mental health conditions. CBT belongs to the Cognitive and Behavioral schools in Psychology. Its based on the idea that thoughts drive emotions that can drive b

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Published on: Dec 16, 2021

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