Overgeneralization is a cognitive distortion in which a single negative event or experience is interpreted as a persistent pattern affecting all areas of life. It’s commonly seen in anxiety and depression.
Key Points:
- Examples:
- Failing one test leads to the conclusion, “I always fail at everything.”
- Rejection from one job application becomes “No one will ever hire me.”
- Effects: Maintains pessimistic thinking, fuels hopelessness, and undermines self-esteem.
- Therapeutic Strategies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps individuals identify and challenge these all-or-nothing beliefs, replacing them with balanced evaluations based on evidence.
