5 common cognitive distortions: Therapist explains

From mind reading to should-thinking, here are a few cognitive distortions that we should be aware of.

Published on: Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM IST

Lifestyle

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM

Cognitive distortions refer to irrational thought patterns that happen during the onset of certain psychopathological states such as anxiety and depression. "As humans we like to think that we apply pure logic and control many outcomes in life. But we actually are often guilty of cognitive distortions. These are thought patterns that are not based on reality or facts. They are a distortion of reality," wrote Psychologist Alf Lokkertsen. (Unsplash)

2/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM

Mind reading: We often feel that we can read the minds of others and try to decode their behaviour from their thought patterns.  (Unsplash)

3/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM

Negative focus: This is a cynical way of looking at things where we completely avoid the positive things and only focus on the negative.  (Unsplash)

4/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM

Catastrophising: We always end up thinking of the worst-case scenarios and think that they will happen to us.  (Unsplash)

5/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM

Should-thinking: This is a track of thought pattern where we believe that everyone should think or act in a certain way.  (Unsplash)

6/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Dec 22, 2023 2:46 PM

Emotional reasoning: We often believe that the way we feel is how reality is. This thought process stops us from welcoming new perspectives. (Unsplash)