Cognitive Distortion

Definition

Cognitive distortion refers to the irrational and exaggerated thoughts or beliefs that distort one's perception of reality. These distorted thoughts often contribute to negative emotions and behaviors.

Related terms

Catastrophizing: Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion where individuals tend to blow things out of proportion and imagine the worst-case scenarios.

All-or-nothing thinking: All-or-nothing thinking is a cognitive distortion where individuals see situations as either completely good or completely bad, without any middle ground.

Overgeneralization:

Overgeneralization is a cognitive distortion where individuals draw broad conclusions based on limited evidence or a single negative experience.