Have you ever had a bad day where everything seemed to go wrong? Maybe you got into an argument with a loved one, and suddenly nothing seems to be going your way. In moments like these, have you noticed that your thoughts start to spiral, and you may find yourself thinking negatively or catastrophizing? This is an example of how our intense moods can distort our perception of reality. In online therapy, you and your therapist can explore why and how our moods influence the way we see the world around us.
When we feel intense moods, we are more likely to distort, discount, or disregard information that contradicts the validity of our moods and beliefs. In fact, the stronger our moods, the more extreme our thinking is likely to be.
Mind Over Mood
Emotions are a fundamental part of our human experience. They can be either positive or negative, and they fuel our actions and decisions. Studies have shown that intense moods, such as sadness, fear, anger, or extreme happiness, can lead to cognitive biases. These biases can lead us to see the world and the people around us in ways that may not be rational. For instance, a person who has just been through a breakup may become hyper-vigilant towards any signs of romantic rejection from others. This person may even perceive harmless actions as threatening because their emotional state is intensely suggesting there is a threat.
One of the main reasons why intense moods can distort our perception of reality is because of the role of our brain’s limbic system. The limbic system plays a crucial role in regulating our emotions, and it also impacts our thinking and decision-making. The stronger and more intense our emotions are, the more the limbic system takes over, decreasing the influence of our rational mind. This can lead us to focus more on the negative aspects of a situation and view them as more significant and threatening than they are in reality.
Another reason why intense moods can distort our interpretation of reality is because of the selective attention our brain provides. During intense emotions, our brain naturally highlights information that validates or justifies those emotions. This selective attention can lead us to ignore or overlook information that contradicts our beliefs or emotional states. For instance, if a person goes through a traumatic event, they may fail to remember essential details of the event because their emotional state at the time of the event made it difficult for them to process these details.
Furthermore, our intense moods can cause us to develop confirmation biases. Confirmation bias occurs when we seek out or selectively interpret information that supports our beliefs while ignoring or discounting information that contradicts it. For instance, if a person believes that their partner is cheating on them, they may search for evidence that supports this assumption while ignoring other logical explanations that explain their partner’s behavior.
Therefore, intense moods generated from happy or negative emotions can lead to a distorted perception of reality. These moods can activate cognitive biases, decrease the influence of our rational minds, and lead us to discount or disregard contradictory information. Thus, it becomes essential that we learn to regulate our emotions, become more mindful of our thinking patterns, and take steps to counteract the biases that intense moods can trigger. By doing so, we become more effective in perceiving the world around us, making better decisions, and achieving overall happiness.