In part 1 of this blog series, we identified the term Cognitive Distortions, and created awareness around the adolescent brain being more susceptible to cognitive thinking errors due to not being fully developed. As a result, adolescents are susceptible to limited capacity to process complex information, decision-making, and social behaviors. In today’s blog series we will explore the following cognitive distortions: catastrophizing, minimization, magnification, & overgeneralization.
Catastrophizing
Catastrophizing is the expectation of disaster in any given situation. The experience of catastrophizing creates a narrative that the worst case scenario will occur and be awful and unbearable. Through catastrophizing, there is the belief that one experience will impact your life and how you live it, your future experiences, and opportunities.
Example:
“It would be terrible if I failed.”
“If I get a bad grade then I will never get into a good college.”
“If I don’t get into college I won’t be successful or make anything of myself.”
Overgeneralizing
Overgeneralizing is concluding that your capability, opportunity, or outcome is based on a single incident or experience. The concept of overgeneralization is rooted in the anticipation that if something bad occurs once then it will continue to happen without opportunity for changed or differing experiences. Overgeneralized statements often incorporate “always” or “never,” into the statement.
Example:
“I fail all the time.”
“I never get to do anything fun.”
Minimization
Minimization occurs when one is discrediting or dismissing their own experiences or life events as unimportant or miniscule. Minimization can create an inability to accept positive feedback or recognize the significance of a correctable mistake.
Example:
Not recognizing the significance of being elected into the National Honor Society.
Getting straight A’s in coursework, but not being able to accept a compliment from parents for GPA.
Getting in trouble for skipping classes and receiving a failing grade, but dismissed as “no big deal.”
Magnification
Magnification is the observation of small events or mistakes as excessively important and life changing.
Example: Missing 1 question on an exam and thinking that it is representative of a failing mark.
Written By: Bridget Kleitsch
MS, tLMHC Assistant Clinical Director, Therapy Manager, Licensed Mental Health Therapist
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