Wellness
Understanding Overgeneralization
A guide to overgeneralization, a common cognitive distortion where one negative event is seen as a never-ending pattern of defeat.
What is it?
Overgeneralization is a cognitive distortion where an individual applies the conclusion from a single event to all other situations. Classified by the American Psychological Association as viewing one negative outcome as an invariable rule, it turns an isolated incident into a prediction of endless defeat. This thinking pattern often involves absolute words like "always" or "never." For example, after one difficult job interview, a person might think, "I always mess up interviews." This creates a broad, negative assumption based on limited evidence, distorting one's perception of reality and future possibilities.
Why is it trending?
The concept is gaining traction in wellness and mental health discussions due to a greater focus on cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness. As people become more proactive about their mental well-being, there is a growing interest in identifying unhelpful thought patterns. Overgeneralization is a key thinking error linked to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recognizing and challenging this cognitive distortion is an accessible strategy for improving mental health, making it a popular topic in mindfulness and self-help circles.
How does it affect people?
Overgeneralization negatively impacts mental health by fostering anxiety, low self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness. This pattern of thought can lead to self-limiting beliefs, causing individuals to avoid new opportunities based on the fear of a single past failure repeating itself. This can hinder personal and professional growth by creating a cycle of negative thinking that reinforces a poor self-image and limits life experiences. The constant expectation of negative outcomes can also strain relationships and reduce overall life satisfaction.