On Cognitive Distortions

It's day 253 of documenting 2025.

A very, very...

Very late night post.

Today was just....off.

Don't really want to go into details right now, so we'll just do something different.

So, I had a chat with my AI assistant on cognitive distortions.

It's going to get psychological in today's post, so if you don't like scientific terms and technical scenarios....you may skip this post.

But first, let's see what we're highlighting today.

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On the Invisible Prison Bars

"You don’t see your prison because its bars are invisible. 

Part of my task is to point out your predicament, and I hope it is the most disillusioning experience of your life."

Quote by Dan Millman

People like to lie to themselves, even when they try really hard to convince themselves that that’s not the case. 

Self-denial is like a prison with invisible bars— everything looks fine, except it isn’t.

If you can’t generate such an epiphany yourself, it might be worth it to expose yourself to some constructive criticism from a professional — a doctor, a fitness instructor, a business mentor, or a life coach — in order to see your blind spots, or rather, take your blinders off and stop lying to yourself.

Are there any aspects of your life about which you lie to yourself? 

Is there something that you think is generally considered bad but you think that it’s okay in your case? What makes you think that you’re different?

Hmm 🤔 

What a question!

Something to really think about...

Big time reflection here, with deep thought and writing all the way.

Let me think about this....and I'll probably give me response in the next post...or so.

You can also think about it as well...and then really examine your answers. You also have to be very honest with yourself.

That being said, let's jump in on the chat, shall we?

Here's how it went:

Me: What does psychology say about mental corruption?

ChatGPT: Psychology links mental corruption to distorted thinking, unresolved trauma, or maladaptive beliefs. 

It can stem from environment, cognitive biases, or prolonged stress. Therapy often helps reframe such patterns.

Me: How is it defined in psychology?

Is that the term used?

ChatGPT: “Mental corruption” isn’t a standard psychological term. 

It’s more often described using terms like cognitive distortion, maladaptive thinking, or moral disengagement; depending on the context.

Me: Okay, let's see...

Does cognitive distortion come often, or is it a symptom of a deeper problem?

ChatGPT: Cognitive distortions are common and can happen to anyone. 

But when they’re frequent or intense, they often point to deeper issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Me: How does it often occur?

ChatGPT: They often occur automatically; triggered by stress, negative experiences, or self-doubt. Your mind misinterprets reality, usually in a negative or irrational way, without you realizing it.

Me: Could you use a relatable scenario to explain it?

ChatGPT: Sure.  

Imagine you send a message to a friend, and they don’t reply for hours. 

You immediately think, “They must be ignoring me. I must’ve done something wrong.”  

That’s a cognitive distortion called mind reading or catastrophizing. 

In reality, they could just be busy or offline; but your brain jumps to the worst-case scenario.

Me: Wow 😲 

So that's what it's like....

And what do you mean by "depending on the context"?

ChatGPT: “Depending on the context” means the way cognitive distortions show up can vary based on the situation, emotional state, or past experiences.  

For example, the same delayed reply might not bother you if you’re feeling confident; but it might trigger anxious thoughts if you’re already feeling insecure or stressed.

Me: Okay, but when does it become maladaptive thinking or moral disengagement?

ChatGPT: It becomes maladaptive thinking when the distortion repeatedly affects your decisions, emotions, or relationships in a negative way; like constant self-blame or catastrophizing.

It becomes moral disengagement when you start justifying harmful actions by twisting your thinking; like blaming the victim, minimizing consequences, or shifting responsibility. 

Both reflect deeper patterns that can lead to long-term harm if unchecked.

Me: So many people don't even realize this....

That's a little sad 😢 

How can one recognize and stop it?

ChatGPT: You're right; it often goes unnoticed. 

Here’s how to recognize and stop it:

1. Self-awareness: Notice repeated negative thoughts or justifications.  

2. Question the thought: Ask, “Is this 100% true?” or “Is there another perspective?”  

3. Label the distortion: Identify if it’s catastrophizing, blaming, etc.  

4. Replace it: Reframe with a more balanced, honest thought.  

5. Practice regularly: Catching and correcting takes time.  

6. Talk it out: Therapy or journaling helps uncover blind spots.

Me: What are the other forms of cognitive distortion?

And why is it "cognitive"?

ChatGPT: Common forms include:

- All-or-Nothing Thinking  

- Overgeneralization  

- Mental Filter  

- Discounting the Positive  

- Jumping to Conclusions  

- Magnification/Minimization  

- Emotional Reasoning  

- Should Statements  

- Labeling  

- Personalization  

It's called cognitive because it involves patterns in how we think (cognition), affecting how we perceive reality.

Me: But this is a large part of Psychology, right?

ChatGPT: Yes, cognitive distortions are a key focus in cognitive psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). They help explain how faulty thinking patterns impact emotions and behavior. 

Understanding them is crucial for mental health treatment.

Me: Nice 🙂 

How about a short conclusion to this chat?

Something to round it all up...

ChatGPT: Cognitive distortions are tricky mental shortcuts that can mislead us. 

Recognizing them helps us think clearer and feel better. 

With awareness and effort, we can shift harmful patterns and build healthier minds. 

Psychology gives us tools to break free and grow.

Well, that's how the chat went.

Good thing I'll be studying Psychology.

I'm always so fascinated with topics like these 😄

That's it for today's post.

Thanks for reading 🎀 

It may feel a little off, and unlike the usual post....but that was how my day was, and I just want to keep writing regardless.

To read former posts, check out the main site, Documenting 2025.

See you in the next post 💜