Cognitive distortions
Cognitive distortions are repetitive, inappropriate ways of interpreting situations that may intensify difficult emotions and impede action.
Definition
Cognitive distortions include, but are not limited to: catastrophizing, black and white thinking, overgeneralization, mind reading, negative labeling and filtering. CBT is not about shaming yourself for having such thoughts, but about noticing the pattern, checking the facts, and creating a more balanced interpretation.
Key ideas
Missing key ideas.
Practice and life
Write down a difficult thought and check whether it is fact or interpretation; what cognitive error may appear here; which version is more sustainable?
Common misunderstanding
It is a mistake to consider every negative thought as a distortion. It is also a mistake to fight thoughts without checking the data.
Questions for self-reflection
No questions for self-reflection.
Sources
No sources.