<p>When a person is suffering from depression or other anxiety and stress-related disorders, <strong>the tendency is to apply one experience to all future experiences</strong>, due to an overly negative outlook. This is known as overgeneralization and can worsen one's mental condition.</p>
<p><em>Example: If a person fumbles during a public speech, he or she can think that they will never speak in public now without fumbling again, and create a self-impression that they are not good at public speaking.</em></p>

Social Anxiety Disorder And Overgeneralization

<ul>
<li><strong>Reframe Your Negative Thoughts:</strong> Try to identify your negative thoughts and replace them with empowering positive thoughts. Changing your view will decrease the negative symptoms.</li>
<li><strong>Journaling:</strong> Identification of negative thoughts can be done by being mindful or by writing down how you feel so that you start to notice patterns.</li>
<li><strong>Review Your Thoughts:</strong> Challenge your negative thought patterns and focus on the moments that you have excelled and achieved great success.</li>
<li><strong>Replace Your Thoughts:</strong> Once your negative thought is identified, reviewed, and challenged, replace it with a positive thought, using self-talk and auto-suggestion.</li>
</ul>

How To Manage Overgeneralization

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By</span>
<div data-tooltip="Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of &amp;#34;Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder&amp;#34; and &amp;#34;7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety.&amp;#34;" data-tooltip-position-x="left" data-tooltip-position-y="top" dir="ltr">

<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/arlin-cuncic-3024162" data-tracking-container="true" dir="ltr"><span dir="ltr">Arlin Cuncic</span></a>
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Reviewed by</span>
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<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/david-susman-phd-4781485" data-tracking-container="true" dir="ltr"><span dir="ltr">David Susman, PhD</span></a>
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Updated on September 28, 2020</span>
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</button></form><figure><img src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/vZ42UN0Np45E1a97zkR6FMzd57A=/500x350/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-518338875-56d23db73df78cfb37cca105.jpg" srcset="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/W9Zgu2mkSt9-erlhi6g9nvVWci8=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-518338875-56d23db73df78cfb37cca105.jpg 300w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/G62pJ8mujINSJkmqDqMtx-tRpMw=/417x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-518338875-56d23db73df78cfb37cca105.jpg 417w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/b35OKVD0yIae9VAjywKBoBQxK68=/534x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-518338875-56d23db73df78cfb37cca105.jpg 534w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/WCwdLQhEsXjGt_y1AZPTqPygUZE=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-518338875-56d23db73df78cfb37cca105.jpg 768w" alt="stressed young man" width="721" height="481"><figcaption dir="auto">Hero Images/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">
If you have <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-disorder-4157220" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">social anxiety disorder</a>, you might struggle with negative thinking. Many people with social anxiety think in terms of overgeneralization, a cognitive distortion that can worsen anxiety, <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-and-depression-go-hand-in-hand-3024695" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">depression</a>, and fear.
</p><p dir="ltr">
Learn more about overgeneralization and how to manage it and minimize your anxiety.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1</span>﻿&nbsp;
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> What Is Overgeneralization? </span> </h2><p>
Overgeneralization frequently affects people with depression or anxiety disorders. It is a way of thinking where you apply one experience to all experiences, including those in the future.
</p><p dir="ltr">
For example, if you once gave a poor speech, you may think to yourself, "I always screw up speeches. I never can <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-managing-public-speaking-anxiety-3024336" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">speak publicly</a> without messing up."<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1</span>﻿&nbsp;
</p><p>
If you experience overgeneralization, you may view any negative experience that happens as a part of an inevitable pattern of mistakes. With social anxiety, this can impact your life greatly and inhibit your daily routine.
</p><p dir="ltr">Overgeneralization can worsen your thoughts, making you feel that everyone dislikes you and that you can't do anything right.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1</span>﻿&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">
A self-limiting overgeneralization is when you keep yourself from meeting your own potential. These are common thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I could never do that." They can keep you from taking risks or next steps, harming your career and social life.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1</span>﻿&nbsp;
</p><p>
But while overgeneralization can be a very distressing symptom, it can be managed and anxiety lessened by reframing your perceptions.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Reframing Overgeneralizations </span> </h2><p>
Reframing is a process where you identify negative or unhelpful thoughts and replace them with positive and empowering ones. It's a way of changing the way you view something.
</p><p dir="ltr">
Reframing can be a powerful tool in managing overgeneralizations and social anxiety.<span data-id="#citation-2" dir="ltr">2</span>﻿&nbsp;It's a fairly simple process that can decrease your symptoms.<span data-id="#citation-3" dir="ltr">3</span>﻿
</p><h3 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Identify Thinking Patterns </span> </h3><p>
Recognize when you find yourself negatively thinking about yourself or not doing activities because you think you will fail. Be more mindful of your thoughts. You might even try writing them down in a journal. Once you start recording them, you may notice patterns.
</p><h3 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Look Carefully </span> </h3><p>
Take a closer look at thoughts you have written down and ask yourself, "Is this true?" Challenge the thoughts as you review them. Would someone else view your thoughts the same way? For example, you might find that no one noticed that you were nervous when you gave that presentation. Recognize your achievements, times when you excelled, and moments when you had fun with friends.&nbsp;
</p><h3 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Replace Your Thoughts </span> </h3><p>
When you are thinking negative thoughts, use self-talk to think more positively. Maybe you always think, "I'm a terrible speaker and always screw up!" Try replacing that thought with "I'm more prepared and ready to give a great speech." Reframing with positivity can counter social anxiety and help you with the presentation. Look at experiences that cause you anxiety as a challenge rather than a threat.&nbsp;
</p><p dir="ltr">
Overgeneralizations can be a debilitating symptom of social anxiety. They limit how you interact with others and can prevent you from achieving what you want to do in your life. Managing overgeneralization is often done in the context of cognitive behavioral therapy with a trained therapist who can help with positive reframing so you can manage your symptoms and <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/coping-with-social-anxiety-disorder-3024836" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">alleviate your social anxiety</a>.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1</span>﻿
</p>

Overgeneralization is a symptom of social anxiety where you apply one negative experience to all experiences and worsens anxiety and depression.

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psychology

Psychology

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Personal Development

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<p dir="ltr">If you have <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-disorder-4157220" rel="noopener noreferrer">social anxiety disorder </a>, you might struggle with negative thinking. Many people with social anxiety think in terms of overgeneralization, a cognitive distortion that can worsen anxiety, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-and-depression-go-hand-in-hand-3024695" rel="noopener noreferrer">depression </a>, and fear. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Learn more about overgeneralization and how to manage it and minimize your anxiety.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1 </span>﻿  </p>

<p>Overgeneralization frequently affects people with depression or anxiety disorders. It is a way of thinking where you apply one experience to all experiences, including those in the future. </p>

<p dir="ltr">For example, if you once gave a poor speech, you may think to yourself, "I always screw up speeches. I never can <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-managing-public-speaking-anxiety-3024336" rel="noopener noreferrer">speak publicly </a>without messing up."<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1 </span>﻿  </p>

<p>If you experience overgeneralization, you may view any negative experience that happens as a part of an inevitable pattern of mistakes. With social anxiety, this can impact your life greatly and inhibit your daily routine. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Overgeneralization can worsen your thoughts, making you feel that everyone dislikes you and that you can't do anything right.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1 </span>﻿  </p>

<p dir="ltr">A self-limiting overgeneralization is when you keep yourself from meeting your own potential. These are common thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I could never do that." They can keep you from taking risks or next steps, harming your career and social life.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1 </span>﻿  </p>

<p>But while overgeneralization can be a very distressing symptom, it can be managed and anxiety lessened by reframing your perceptions. </p>

<p>Reframing is a process where you identify negative or unhelpful thoughts and replace them with positive and empowering ones. It's a way of changing the way you view something. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Reframing can be a powerful tool in managing overgeneralizations and social anxiety.<span data-id="#citation-2" dir="ltr">2 </span>﻿ It's a fairly simple process that can decrease your symptoms.<span data-id="#citation-3" dir="ltr">3 </span>﻿ </p>

<p>Recognize when you find yourself negatively thinking about yourself or not doing activities because you think you will fail. Be more mindful of your thoughts. You might even try writing them down in a journal. Once you start recording them, you may notice patterns. </p>

<p>Take a closer look at thoughts you have written down and ask yourself, "Is this true?" Challenge the thoughts as you review them. Would someone else view your thoughts the same way? For example, you might find that no one noticed that you were nervous when you gave that presentation. Recognize your achievements, times when you excelled, and moments when you had fun with friends.  </p>

<p>When you are thinking negative thoughts, use self-talk to think more positively. Maybe you always think, "I'm a terrible speaker and always screw up!" Try replacing that thought with "I'm more prepared and ready to give a great speech." Reframing with positivity can counter social anxiety and help you with the presentation. Look at experiences that cause you anxiety as a challenge rather than a threat.  </p>

<p dir="ltr">Overgeneralizations can be a debilitating symptom of social anxiety. They limit how you interact with others and can prevent you from achieving what you want to do in your life. Managing overgeneralization is often done in the context of cognitive behavioral therapy with a trained therapist who can help with positive reframing so you can manage your symptoms and <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/coping-with-social-anxiety-disorder-3024836" rel="noopener noreferrer">alleviate your social anxiety </a>.<span data-id="#citation-1" dir="ltr">1 </span>﻿ </p>

Reframe Overgeneralizations to Help Manage Your Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder And Overgeneralization

How To Manage Overgeneralization

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