Emotional reasoning is a cognitive distortion where individuals believe that their emotional reactions reflect reality. For example, if someone feels anxious about a presentation, they may conclude that the presentation will go poorly, despite no actual evidence to support this belief. Emotional reasoning can lead to increased anxiety and depression because it distorts an individual’s perception of events. CBT helps individuals challenge emotional reasoning by encouraging them to rely on facts and evidence rather than their emotions when making judgments. This cognitive restructuring leads to healthier thought patterns and reduces the impact of negative emotions on decision-making.
