A cognitive distortion is a false or exaggerated way of thinking that twists reality. It’s not just a negative thought—it’s a warped lens shaped by past wounds, unprocessed emotions, and protective beliefs you created to survive what hurt you. It doesn’t just feel real—it becomes your truth, even when it isn’t. You start to see rejection in silence, failure in progress, and danger in vulnerability. You react not to what’s actually happening, but to what your mind tells you is happening. This dis