Cognitive Distortions

When we are Overgeneralizing, we view a single instance of failure, criticism, or a single mistake as a never ending pattern. We experience a single negative event, such as failing at a diet, as proof that we will never be able to lose our extra weight—that we will always fail when we try. We make a mistake and draw the conclusion that we can never do things right. For example, "Everything I do turns out wrong."

It can be upsetting to make mistakes, but when we engage in Overgeneralization, we set ourselves up for a depressed mood. When we think that we can never do something right, our feeling will be one of despair or hopelessness. The obvious next step is to never try again.

Overgeneralizations can aggravate our fear of rejection, a common fear in severely obese people. Rejection is usually an unpleasant experience. When we take one rejection and assume that everyone will then reject us, it magnifies the pain. If we don't overgeneralize, the pain of a single rejection becomes a temporary discomfort which we can get over fairly easily.

Generalizations are sometimes useful, but taken to extremes they can be a roadblock to recovery. For example, a person who has has one or two difficult experiences with doctors over their weight issues may make the sweeping generalization that all doctors are insensitive and hurtful. They may then refuse to go to a doctor or share important health concern with them. An alternative and more rational line of thinking would be to understand that the particular doctor was insensitive, but not all doctors will be.

Dave's web site is for informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or to replace consultation with a professional dietician, nutritionist, physician, or mental health professional. None of the information presented on this web site is intended to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any medical ailments or conditions.