A person engaging in filter (or “mental filtering) takes the negative details and magnifies … Ask whether someone else would see the situation the same way – challenge your thoughts and remember times when you succeeded rather than focusing on failures and negative outcomes. Addressing this single symptom may help alleviate others related to your anxiety, but addressing the core issue is also important. All material provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Overgeneralizing is a cognitive distortion, or a distorted way of thinking, that results in some pretty significant errors in thinking. The strength of this cognitive distortion accounts for the prevalence of stereotyping in much of our thinking about other people. Overgeneralizing is ineffective mainly because it’s usually inaccurate, and it can be very limiting. The antidote to Overgeneralization is called “Let’s Be Specific.” CBT is an evidence based form of treatment and the only proven method to effectively relieve anxiety. All-or-Nothing Thinking. This can be challenging, as it requires that you become aware of your thinking while you are thinking it, but when done properly, you can learn to take a step back from the overgeneralization process while it is occurring. Thoughts that include “should,” “ought,” or “must” are almost always related to a … Step 2: Determine: What is the evidence for this prediction? Irrational thoughts/beliefs that we unknowingly reinforce over time. Cognitive distortions are irrational thoughts that can influence your emotions. Cognitive distortions are exactly what the name implies: distortions in our cognition. “I felt awkward during my job interview. Cognitive therapy has numerous techniques for investigating the validity of cognitive distortions such as overgeneralizing. If we think that a small fault in ourselves means we’re fundamentally rotten or otherwise terrible, we’re likely engaging in �� All or Nothing Thinking. Yes, prejudice is a form of overgeneralization. Mental Filtering is a cognitive distortion where we tend to filter things out of our conscious awareness. Replace Your Thoughts. Make a change today. While overgeneralization can lead to negative outcomes in your life, cognitive behavioral therapy offers some strategies to address these challenges. For instance, individuals who suffer from social anxiety disorder may find that their symptoms are worsened by a cognitive distortion called overgeneralization. One of the most common cognitive distortions is overgeneralization. Is there significant evidence against this particular thought? A distortion* of thinking is something that may have some truth to it, but overall is not valid, objective, and reliable. Ultimately, overgeneralization is a symptom of a larger problem, usually a type of anxiety. This is a distortion that can include believing that you are responsible for things outside of your control, or it could also mean interpreting things in a way that always reflects back on you. If not, why not? Discounting the Positive. If someone were handling this situation more effectively, what thoughts would support their more effective strategy in dealing with it? If this friend came to you and told you the same thing was happening to her, what would you say to her? Filtering. Would you tell a friend what you are telling yourself? Psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck laid the groundwork for the study of these distortions, and his student David D. Burns continued research on the topic. Would someone else view your thoughts the same way? How Beck identified cognitive distortions. Overgeneralization. I am . This cognitive distortion is called overgeneralization. Feelings have a tendency to color our thinking, altering the conclusions we make, and often exacerbating natural errors in thinking. Recognize when you find yourself negatively thinking about yourself or not doing activities... Look Carefully. It takes the focus off the factors that are actually operating. Filtering. The mind uses them while processing information. When you’re caught up in this cognitive distortion, if you fall short of perfect, …