Distortions are based on real sensory data, but they twist it in some way to create the wrong conclusion. If it’s extreme enough, it’s a form of delusion. If someone says, “A white car followed me all the way to the gas station. Someone must be obsessed with me and stalking me,” you might wonder if the driver of the white car was going to the same gas station.

Coincidences are distorted all the time. When someone hears about two simultaneous occurrences, like a few small businesses closing in town, and turns it into a pattern, they might say, “Can you believe it? The whole country is going out of business. I’m moving to Brussels. " You could say, “I’m moving to Brussels because six new businesses have opened. That means we’ll be overrun in no time! Let’s go before there are no English speakers left.” Maybe that would be a little too sarcastic. You’d better get to know this person well before you get too carried away with your reactions, or else you’ll end up alone, bitter, homeless, and frozen. Whoops, I just used some distortions., haven’t I?!