Cognitive Distortions – Magnification and Minimization

Cognitive Distortions – Magnification and Minimization

Magnification: –

When you Magnify or minimize aspects of a memory or situation you distort them so that they no longer correspond to objective reality. In depressed people, often the positive characteristics of other people are exaggerated and negative characteristics are understated. There is one subtype of magnification:

• Catastrophizing – this is the focusing on the worst possible outcome, however unlikely, or thinking that a situation is unbearable when it is really just uncomfortable.

To overcome this form of distortion you need to calculate the real probabilities in the situation. Get evidence from others who know about what happened and then focus on the evidence that the worst did not happen. If you are minimizing then perhaps you need to take things more seriously.

Have a great day until next time.

Nevin