The cognitive distortions in cognitive theory include:
Arbitrary inference – conclusions drawn with little or no evidence to support them.
Selective abstraction – dwelling on insignificant(negative)detail while ignoring more important
features or stimuli.
Overgeneralization – drawing global conclusions about worth/ability/performance on the basis
of single facts.
Magnification/minimization – Gross errors of evaluation with small bad events magnified and large good events minimized. These mechanisms lead to distortions within the cognitive triad of the self,the world and the future.In cognitive therapy,the patient first learns to identify cognitive distortions from present or recent experiences with the use of daily records/diaries. The patient records such ideas and then learns to examine the evidence for and against them,ie tests out beliefs in real life. The
patient is encouraged to undertake the pleasurable activities that were given up at the onset of depression or anxiety. In this way,cognitive restructuring takes place when the patient is able to identify,evaluate and change the distorted thoughts and associated behaviour.

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