Cognitive Distortions

🧠 Spot the Glitch in Your Thinking! Introducing Cognitive Distortions 🧐

Ever catch yourself thinking something really negative or overly dramatic, only to realize it wasn't quite true? That's likely a cognitive distortion at work!

Cognitive distortions are irrational, exaggerated thought patterns that can skew how you see yourself, others, and the world. They're like mental shortcuts that aren't always helpful!

Common Distortions to Watch For:

DistortionWhat it Looks LikeExampleAll-or-Nothing ThinkingSeeing things in absolute, black-and-white terms."If I don't get an 'A', I'm a complete failure."OvergeneralizationDrawing a sweeping conclusion based on a single event."I stumbled over my words in that meeting, so I'll always mess up presentations."CatastrophizingBlowing things out of proportion; expecting the worst outcome."My boss didn't smile at me this morning; I must be getting fired!"Mind ReadingAssuming you know what others are thinking without evidence."They haven't texted back yet; they must be mad at me."Should StatementsHolding rigid, unrealistic rules for yourself or others."I should be able to handle this stressful situation perfectly."

✨ Why Does This Matter?

Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward changing them! By challenging these thoughts, you can reduce stress, improve your mood, and respond to situations more realistically.

❓ Your Challenge for Today: Pick one distortion from the list above and try to catch yourself using it once today. What's the reality behind the distorted thought?

Let us know in the comments: Which distortion do you notice most often in your life? 👇