Cognitive distortions are erroneous and unreliable ways of thinking that distort our perception of reality and affect our ability to make objective decisions. Cognitive biases can occur in different situations and manifest themselves in different forms. One of the reasons why cognitive biases occur is our tendency to use heuristic strategies, that is, short-term and simplified thinking methods that often lead to errors. Instead of conducting a thorough analysis of a situation, we rely on other people's opinions, our own biases, or the use of vivid examples to make decisions. One of the most famous cognitive biases is the confirmation effect. This effect is that we are more likely to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms our existing beliefs or expectations. We ignore or forget other information that may contradict our views. Another example of a cognitive distortion is the illusion of control. We mistakenly believe that we have more control over the situation than we really do. For example, we may believe that our actions completely determine outcomes, without taking into account environmental factors or luck. Cognitive distortions can also be associated with our tendency to shift attention only to the negative aspects of the situation, ignoring the positive ones. This is called information selection. For example, a person may focus only on small failures without noticing big achievements. Cognitive distortions have many consequences, such as poor decisions, feelings of helplessness, fear of new things and difficulties, and low self-esteem. They can lead to poor physical and mental health, as well as problems in relationships with other people. There are ways to overcome cognitive distortions. It is important to realize that our thoughts and experiences may be distorted, and try to analyze the situation more objectively. Strategies you can use include rational thinking, active search behavior, and admitting your mistakes. In addition, psychological help and therapy can help recognize and change cognitive distortions. In general, cognitive distortions are common in psychology and can have a powerful impact on our thinking and behavior. Openness and awareness of their existence allows us to overcome these biases and make more rational and informed decisions.