Cognitive distortion

Uncommon card · No. 189904

A cognitive distortion is a thought that causes a person to perceive reality inaccurately due to being exaggerated or irrational. Cognitive distortions are involved in the onset or perpetuation of psychopathological states, such as depression and anxiety. Cognitive distortions are negative or biased thought patterns that distort one’s perception of reality, often leading to unnecessary stress, anxiety, or self-doubt. These distortions, such as mind reading, fortune telling, and emotional reasoning, warp the way individuals interpret situations and themselves, reinforcing negative emotions and behaviors. Understanding and challenging these distortions is crucial in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals overcome them and improve their mental well-being. According to Aaron Beck's cognitive model, a negative outlook on reality, sometimes called negative schemas (or schemata), is a factor in symptoms of emotional dysfunction and poorer subjective well-being. Specifically, negative...

Read on Wikipedia