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Indian Journal of Psychiatry logoLink to Indian Journal of Psychiatry
. 2015 Jan-Mar;57(1):94. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.148535

Black & white thinking: A cognitive distortion

Sravanti Sanivarapu 1
PMCID: PMC4314927  PMID: 25657466

graphic file with name IJPsy-57-94-g001.jpg

Black and white thinking, a cognitive distortion is often come across in persons with depression. The individuals tend to think dichotomously. Extremes of thinking, blinds one from seeing the reality and causes significant distress. The true colors are either masked or glorified in the brightness or darkness of background symbolizing polarized views as depicted in the painting. Things are not always so clear as to be perceived as totally black or white. Appreciating shades of grey brings one closer to the true colours and more often than not to the true colour itself. This eventually helps one to stay connected with reality and at peace with oneself.

- Art by Dr. Sravanti Sanivarapu


Articles from Indian Journal of Psychiatry are provided here courtesy of Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications

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