Catastrophizing, what does that mean:

Catastrophizing, what does that mean:

Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion where a person imagines and believes the worst possible outcome will happen, even when it’s unlikely. It’s like mentally blowing things out of proportion.

Examples:
You make a small mistake at work and think, “I’m going to get fired. I’ll never find another job. I’ll end up broke.”

You feel a headache and think, “It must be a brain tumor.”

In Psychology:
Catastrophizing is common in anxiety and depression. It can increase emotional distress and interfere with problem-solving and decision-making.

Two Common Forms:
Predictive catastrophizing: “This presentation will be a disaster.”

Interpretive catastrophizing: “I didn’t get a reply — they must hate me.”

It’s often addressed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by helping the person recognize the thought pattern and replace it with more balanced, realistic thinking.

Shervan K Shahhian