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Mental Filters & Depression

A mental filter is a cognitive distortion that can contribute to depression as well as some cases of anxiety. Cognitive distortions are a group of unreasonably negative thoughts and attitudes that are not based in reality. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, a potential treatment of depression, is a means of overcoming cognitive distortions and replacing negative mental filters with a more positive outlook.

  1. Depression

    • Depression, which may also be referred to as major depression or chronic depression, is a mental disorder that can interfere with a person's daily functioning. Symptoms of depression include prolonged periods of sadness, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits, loss of interest in hobbies or enjoyable activities, withdrawal from others, crying spells, chronic pain and a preoccupation with death or suicide. Negative mental filters can contribute to depression.

    Mental Filter

    • The mental filter is one type of cognitive distortion associated with depression. The mental filter involves putting emphasis on negative circumstances or a negative point of view, "while filtering out all the positives," according to HelpGuide.org. A person who focuses primarily on minor negative aspects of an otherwise positive situation can be left with the outlook that the entire situation was completely negative.

    Cognitive Distortions

    • According to HelpGuide.org, cognitive distortions are a group of "irrational, pessimistic attitudes." Cognitive distortions, such as the mental filter, can contribute to depression and anxiety. Other types of cognitive distortion include viewing situations in terms of absolutes, jumping to negative conclusions and worst-case scenarios, using emotional reasoning, and taking random events as personal insults. According to the Mayor Clinic, cognitive distortions can become "so ingrained that they become 'core beliefs'" by which a person lives.

    Anxiety

    • According to HelpGuide.org, anxiety is closely associated with depression, and anxiety and depression tend to exacerbate one another. The mental filter can contribute to excessive worry and anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety can include rapid heart beat, difficulty breathing, sweating, tremors, headaches, stomach problems and insomnia.

    Therapy

    • Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that may be a component of depression treatment that also includes medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, "cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used" types of therapy for treating depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people with depression learn to identify cognitive distortions, such as the mental filter, and replace negative attitudes and behaviors with positive ones.

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