Distortions as adaptive heuristics

Many mental‑health 'cognitive distortions' (catastrophizing, guilt, overgeneralizing) are not simply irrational mistakes but evolved response patterns that bias toward safer, faster action under uncertainty. Therapy should treat them as sometimes‑useful, sometimes‑miscalibrated heuristics and focus on function and calibration rather than blanket 'correction.' — Reframing common therapy labels from 'distortions' to 'adaptive miscalibration' would shift clinical practice, reduce stigma, and affect public policy on mental‑health messaging and resource allocation.