Reality Isn ’t Always What You Think! How Cognitive Distortions Harm Us

We all see reality through a personal lens shaped by our beliefs, culture, religion, and experiences. The 1950 movie Rashomon was a brilliant example of this, where three witnesses to a crime recount different versions of what happened. When couples argue, they usually can’t agree on the facts of what happened. Additionally, our mind tricks us according to what we think, believe, and feel. These are cognitive distortions that cause us unnecessary pain. If you suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or perfectionism, your thinking can skew your perceptions. Cognitive distortions reflect flawed thinking, often stemming from insecurity and low-self-esteem. Negative filters distort reality and can generate stressful emotions. Thoughts stir up feelings, which in turn trigger more negative thoughts, creating a negative feedback loop. If we act on our distorted perceptions, conflict ensues that can give rise to unintended negative consequences. Cognitive Distortions Being able to identify cognitive distortions builds our capacity to be mindful. Some are listed below: Negative filtering Magnification Labeling Personalization Black-and-white, all-or-nothing thinking Negative projections Overgeneralizing Self-Criticism Self-criticism is the most pernicious aspect of codependency and low self-esteem. It distorts reality and your perception of yourself. It can make you feel guilty, flawed, and inadequate. Negative self-talk robs you of happiness, make you miserable, and ca...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Anxiety Psychology Self-Esteem Self-Help Cognitive Distortions Insecurity Low Self Esteem Perfectionism worry Source Type: news