Labeling is a cognitive distortion where individuals assign a negative label to themselves or others based on a single event or behavior. For example, someone who makes a mistake may label themselves as “a failure,” or someone who has a disagreement may label the other person as “bad.” This form of all-or-nothing thinking can contribute to low self-esteem, anger, and poor relationships. In CBT, individuals learn to challenge labeling by focusing on specific behaviors rather than making broad, negative judgments about themselves or others. By reducing the use of labels, individuals can adopt a more nuanced and compassionate view of themselves and their relationships, improving mental well-being.
