Cognitive distortions are inaccurate, unrealistic, or exaggerated thought patterns that can negatively impact our perceptions of reality, ourselves, others, or the world around us. Also known as “thinking traps,” these unhelpful thoughts contribute to depression, anxiety (generalized & social), and overall distress. Common cognitive distortions include catastrophizing, mind reading, jumping to conclusions, disqualifying the positive, emotional reasoning, all-or-nothing (or black & white) thinking, and “should” statements.
