5 'Thinking Errors' That You Need To Stop Making
These five cognitive distortions can have a surprisingly negative effect on your mental health. Here's why you need to unlearn them.
By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | January 31, 2025
We are all vulnerable to certain "thinking errors," which can deeply affect our mental well-being. These thinking errors or "cognitive distortions" are irrational, biased thought patterns that can negatively influence how we perceive ourselves, others and the world. They often reinforce negative emotions, leading to distorted interpretations of reality.
In fact, they are not just "errors" in how our brains work, but are natural and evolved responses. From an evolutionary perspective, our brains developed quick, defensive ways of thinking to protect us in situations of danger or threat.
But, in the modern world, persistently thinking of what could go wrong impacts us negatively and could be detrimental to our mental health. The key is to identify these thinking errors and understand how to replace them with healthier thinking patterns that uplift us and ground us in reality.
Here are five of the most common thinking errors we make:
1. Your Mind Jumps To The Worst Possible Conclusion
If you find yourself thinking of the worst possible outcome to any situation, the problem may be your perception. This is a type of thinking error called "catastrophizing."
Say you made a mistake at work and received feedback for it, but now you can not stop thinking about what a failure you are and how it marks the end of everything good you've experienced at your workplace.
It's human nature to crave social validation and it's natural to feel threatened if we perceive a lack of it, but it does not signal the end of one's future, relationships or success. Once you start thinking of things this way, you may face increased anxiety, fear of failure and avoid situations which are meant to stimulate or challenge you.
In fact, a 2016 study suggests that catastrophic thinking may even be associated with mental health conditions like panic, phobias, health anxiety, OCD, PTSD, chronic pain and brain injuries.
So, instead of assuming the worst, reframe your thoughts by putting setbacks into perspective, and viewing them as temporary obstacles, rather than permanent blocks. It's important to start challenging such negative thoughts by considering more positive outcomes to a situation, grounding oneself and focusing on solutions to immediate concerns.
2. You View Everything In Black And White
"Black and white thinking" is a cognitive distortion where you tend to view situations, people or outcomes in extremes. It's either all good or all bad and you think there is no grey area.
For instance, if you're not a CEO earning millions by 30, you might consider yourself a failure. But, this rigid mindset leaves no room for imperfections, which are human, and essential for real growth and progress. This thinking style can cause frustration, disappointment and emotional instability.
Instead, embrace life's nuances, acknowledge that there is a middle ground in different situations and practice more self-compassion. For instance, you might remind yourself that success is a journey, not a race.
3. You Take Everything Personally
Assuming that someone's bad mood or harsh feedback is a personal attack can make life unnecessarily stressful. For example, a colleague's criticism might have more to do with their lack of sleep or personal challenges than with you, but a common thinking error we make is to personalize whatever is said or done to us.
As hard as it is to be on the receiving end, it's important to recognize that others' actions often reflect their circumstances, not your worth. Taking things personally can lead to overthinking, guilt and low self-esteem, so it's important to challenge this habit. It may leave you tossing and turning in bed at night, wondering what you could've done better in a situation you never even played a role in.
A useful technique to practice detachment and view interpersonal interactions more rationally is self-distancing—mentally stepping back and viewing your experience as if it's happening to someone else, as an objective reminder to consider the role that all other external factors are playing in that scenario.
4. You Blame Others For Your Misfortune
Blaming others for missed opportunities or personal setbacks is a cognitive distortion that prevents growth and keeps you stuck. Taking responsibility for what happens in your life doesn't make you less capable; in fact, it shows maturity and builds trust with others. It also gives you more control over your life by empowering you to learn from mistakes.
Remember to focus on what you can control and take ownership of your actions. Shifting blame only weakens your ability to address problems and find solutions.
5. You Filter Out The Positives
This thinking error involves focusing only on the negatives in a situation while ignoring the positives. For example, you might regularly dismiss compliments or downplay your achievements. This pattern can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem and even depression.
To combat this, it's essential to celebrate small wins, acknowledge your skills and effort and intentionally focus on positive feedback and progress. In unlearning these cognitive distortions, we're not just rewiring our thoughts—we're reclaiming the ability to view life through a more balanced, compassionate lens.
Remember, this process requires curiosity rather than judgment. Instead of berating yourself for distorted thoughts, view them as clues—signals from your mind about fears, needs or unresolved emotions. These thinking errors, while deeply ingrained, are not permanent. They can be unlearned with time, practice and self-awareness.
Do your cognitive distortions make you overthink your mistakes? Take this science-backed test to find out: Mistake Rumination Scale
A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.