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FIX CATASTROPHIZING THINKING ERROR

 


How to stop catastrophizing

Catastrophizing is a way of thinking called a ‘cognitive distortion.’ A person who catastrophizes usually sees an unfavorable outcome to an event and then decides that if this outcome does happen, the results will be a disaster.

Here are some examples of catastrophizing:

  • “If I fail this test, I will never pass school, and I will be a total failure in life.”
  • “If I don’t recover quickly from this procedure, I will never get better, and I will be disabled my entire life.”
  • “If my partner leaves me, I will never find anyone else, and I will never be happy again.”

Doctors also call catastrophizing “magnifying,” because a person makes a situation seem much worse, dire, or severe than it is.

Catastrophizing can lead to depression in some individuals. Fortunately, there are several methods to address the condition and avoid catastrophizing.

Fast facts on catastrophizing:

  • Catastrophizing can be a result of or cause of anxiety.
  • Every person tends to catastrophize from time to time.
  • A mental health professional can help address catastrophic thinking.

While there are several potential causes and contributors to catastrophizing, most fall into one of three categories. These are:

Ambiguity

Ambiguity or being vague can open a person up to catastrophic thinking.

An example would be getting a text message from a friend or partner that reads, “We need to talk.”

This vague message could be something positive or negative, but a person cannot know which of these it is with just the information they have. So they may start to imagine the very worst news.

Value

Relationships and situations that a person holds in high value can result in a tendency to catastrophize. When something is particularly significant to a person, the concept of loss or difficulty can be harder to deal with.

An example would be applying for a job that a person wants. They may start to imagine the great disappointment, anxiety, and depression they will experience if they do not get the job before the organization has even made any decisions.

Fear

Fear, especially irrational fear, plays a big part in catastrophizing. If a person is scared of going to the doctor, they could start to think about all the bad things a doctor could tell them, even if they are just going for a check-up.

A person may also experience catastrophizing related to a medical condition or past event in their life.

Anxiety is closely related to catastrophizing. Anxiety is a condition where a person experiences heightened fear and preoccupation with a circumstance. Examples could be worrying about a big test coming up or being fearful of walking alone at night.

Difference between catastrophizing and anxiety

The primary difference between anxiety and catastrophizing is that anxiety can play a useful role in a person’s life. For example, anxiety can be a positive emotion because it can help a person to be protective of themselves. However, catastrophizing does not usually have any benefits.

Having these catastrophic thoughts can fill a person’s mind with unnecessary emotions that take time and thought away from the reality of a situation. While both anxiety and catastrophizing can be harmful, anxiety can be beneficial in some circumstances.

Link to depression

Depression, or prolonged feelings of helplessness and sadness, is also connected to catastrophizing. When a person experiences prolonged feelings of hopelessness, they may tend to catastrophize and imagine the worst will happen.

Pain catastrophizing

In addition to mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, some people may catastrophize over feelings of pain. “Pain catastrophizing” is when a person obsesses and worries about pain, feels helpless when they experience pain, and is unable to put worries or thoughts of pain aside.

According to an article in the journal Expert Review of NeurotherapeuticsTrusted Source, catastrophizing about pain is associated with increases in narcotic usage, post-surgical pain ratings, or depression after surgery. While no person looks forward to a post-surgical or post-injury pain, an irrational fear or approach can make a recovery especially difficult.

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