Errors In Logic: Cognitive Distortions

Errors in logic are simply thinking errors (cognitive distortions). By identifying these thinking errors and testing them as hypotheses rather then facts, we can investigate and challenge these negative thoughts to see if they are indeed logical. Alternative ways of thinking can be substituted for the original negative automatic thoughts which are more balanced, and reflect the persons experience more accurately.

Here are a list of the 10 most common cognitive distortions that form the basis of all depression:

1) Dichotomous reasoning (black or white/all-or-nothing)

2) Overgeneralisation

3) Selective abstraction (mental filter)

4) Discounting the positive

5) Arbitrary inference (jumping to conclusions)

6) Magnification/minimisation (binocular trick)

7) Emotional Reasoning

8) Shoulds ("musturbation")

9) Global judgements

10) Personalisation

Over the next 10 posts I will be looking at each of these individual thinking errors and explaining what they mean so we can look at ways to challenge them. This should help to stop some of your negative thoughts as you will begin to see that a lot of them are completely illogical, and hopefully this will begin to make you feel better!