Even when you are someone who has strong opinions about certain things, there’s a difference between having sometimes extreme views on some topics and suffering from a more polarized version of thinking.

Often described as a black-and-white mentality, polarized thinking is when you tend to think in polar opposites and leave no room in your mind for any gray areas that are open for discussion.

If every decision you make or view you have is an all-or-nothing scenario it could be a symptom of a personality disorder. There are effective mental health treatments available to help you overcome this problem, which can have a detrimental impact on your relationships, and many other aspects of your life.

Let’s look at the telltale signs that might suggest you have a so-called black-and-white mentality.

You use certain words and terms frequently

We all have an opinion on certain things that might be hard to sway, but that is different from consistently closing your mind on most things and only seeing them in a way where there is no middle ground.

If you frequently use words like good, bad, never, or always, these are some prime examples of the language and thinking of someone with a black-and-white mentality.

Using these absolute words on a regular basis would be a classic example of rigid thinking that might have taken too much control over your mindset.

You attach too much importance to small setbacks

Being a few minutes late for a meeting can happen to all of us. But if you suffer from polarized thinking you might feel that your job is on the line as a result.

This is unlikely to be the outcome but it doesn’t stop you thinking about the worst-case scenario.

Success or failure awaits

If you are totally convinced that you are destined for great success in your career or abject failure. These polar opposites can invade your mindset with this condition.

You fear the worst

If you are waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, for example, and it doesn’t turn up when expected, you might come to the conclusion that it is never going to arrive and think of all the consequences attached to not getting that money.

The reality is that the check will probably turn up in a few days but polarized thinking doesn’t allow room for that eventuality.

You take things too personally

Another classic sign of this condition is when you take things too personally and start blaming yourself for something that is not really connected or aimed at you at all. 

You suffer from personalization

This aspect of polarized thinking is when you make the wrong assumptions about either being excluded from something, or the opposite scenario, where you think you are the target.

This personality trait is often linked to high levels of anxiety and depression.

You find it hard to understand how others are feeling

The cognitive delusion of assuming that you know what other people are thinking about you is a prime example of this condition.

Your mind might be closed to all of the evidence and you are only accepting details that confirm your suspicions about what someone is thinking about you.

If any of these descriptions and situations seem familiar you may well be trapped in a black-and-white mentality.

There is help available to free your mind and improve your life with a more open-minded approach to everyday tasks and relationships.