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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryWhat is Catastrophic Thinking? (And How to Stop)
Table of Contents:OverviewHow to Prevent Catastrophic ThinkingGet in touch with a professional
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 6 Minutes
Published On: September 13, 2018
Reviewed On: September 13, 2018
Updated On: November 2, 2023
OverviewUpdated on 1/11/2022When your thoughts start spiraling, getting off the “staircase” can feel impossible. One terrible notion leads to the next:If I can’t get this report done in time, you might think,then I’ll be fired. And if I’m fired, I’ll have nothing to do all day. If I have nothing to do all day, I’ll fall into a video game and beer hole. If I fall into a video game and beer hole, then my wife will leave me.And then…and then…andthen…
Overview
Updated on 1/11/2022
When your thoughts start spiraling, getting off the “staircase” can feel impossible. One terrible notion leads to the next:If I can’t get this report done in time, you might think,then I’ll be fired. And if I’m fired, I’ll have nothing to do all day. If I have nothing to do all day, I’ll fall into a video game and beer hole. If I fall into a video game and beer hole, then my wife will leave me.And then…and then…andthen…
Does this process sound familiar? This anxiety spiral — also known as “catastrophic thinking” or “magnifying,” — is cognitive distortion that often occurs alongside anxiety and depression. Think of your brain as a rocky mountain: one single negative thought loosens an avalanche of related anxieties.Here are some other examples:If I don’t stay up all night studying, I’ll fail my test — and if I fail my test, I’ll be kicked out of school.I have a missed call from my mother — someone I love must have died.There’s a weird freckle on my elbow. It’s cancer. I’m going to die. Tomorrow.No matter how true and valid each thoughtfeels, it’s important to remember that they are simply thoughts — and thoughts can be constrained. Minimizing your negative intrusive thoughts can help reduce your anxiety or be an important stepping-stone in your depression recovery: after all, these torrential cascades of terrible thoughtsincrease cortisol levels in your brain. Too much cortisol — also known as the “stress hormone” — can cause anumber of long-term health problems.
Does this process sound familiar? This anxiety spiral — also known as “catastrophic thinking” or “magnifying,” — is cognitive distortion that often occurs alongside anxiety and depression. Think of your brain as a rocky mountain: one single negative thought loosens an avalanche of related anxieties.
Here are some other examples:
No matter how true and valid each thoughtfeels, it’s important to remember that they are simply thoughts — and thoughts can be constrained. Minimizing your negative intrusive thoughts can help reduce your anxiety or be an important stepping-stone in your depression recovery: after all, these torrential cascades of terrible thoughtsincrease cortisol levels in your brain. Too much cortisol — also known as the “stress hormone” — can cause anumber of long-term health problems.
How to Prevent Catastrophic Thinking
1. Keep an eye on your thoughts
How can you stop something you don’t realize is happening until you’re deep in its maw? The first step in preventing theanxietyavalanche is learning to recognize the unique fingerprint or thought pattern of your brain’s catastrophic thinking.
Stopping catastrophic thinking requires stepping in at the first sign of trouble. Once you understand your personal thought pattern, recognizing a disturbance and replacing it with a positive emotion will be much easier.
Expert Insight
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R), BC-TMHJill Daino
- Find your spiral’s sourceWhen you’re deep in the black cloud of thinking of the worst case scenario, uncovering the spiral’s original spark can be difficult. You’re worried aboutlosing your boyfriend, your apartment,andyour job — but dig deep to find the root. Did this spiral begin because you failed a pop quiz in chemistry class? Because you felt a funny lump in your armpit?Once you’ve found what caused the spiral, it’s easier to deal with the problem. Think about it like killing a fast-growing vine: If you don’t dig out the roots, the leaves will continue spreading indefinitely.3. Use your logical brainOnce you’ve dialed down your catastrophic thinking to its source, take time to dissect your specific anxieties about the issue. Now is a great opportunity to practice your meditation skills, lest you fall into yet another spiral during the dissection! Perhaps learning how to drive terrifies you, and you’re thinking of the worst situation or a looming threat every time you get behind the wheel.Use logic to help defeat your negative thinking. A lot of panic comes down tooverestimating thetruechances of danger. Learning the facts may sooth your mind: Research how often car accidents happen and read up on best driving practices to ensure that you’re the safest driver you can be.Are your concerns health-related? While it might seem scary, the best cure is seeing your doctor and understanding the treatment options available like cognitive behavioral therapy. Or if you’re struggling at work, talk it through with your boss — chances are they’ll be more kind and receptive than you expected.4. Challenge your negative thinkingSpirals are scary because the catastrophic thought feels so real, but if you notice yourself slipping, take a deep breath and challenge your beliefs. Ask yourself, “Is this threat realright now?” Perhaps you’ve been stuck in your bed for days waiting for laboratory test results. Your mind may be caught up in a web of worries: Do I have a disease? If I have a disease, am I going to die? Even if I survive, how will I afford my care?Stop. Focus on the here and the now. If the test results are bad, you can deal with it at that moment — don’t waste time panicking about it now!You want to challenge your health and pain catastrophizing, but you don’t want to beat yourself up for having anxious intrusive thoughts. Our brain does all sorts of unwelcome things without our consent, and having a panic spiral doesn’t make you a bad person. Don’t get angry at yourself for falling for your mind’s clever trap — focus your energies on escaping its pull.
2. Find your spiral’s source
When you’re deep in the black cloud of thinking of the worst case scenario, uncovering the spiral’s original spark can be difficult. You’re worried aboutlosing your boyfriend, your apartment,andyour job — but dig deep to find the root. Did this spiral begin because you failed a pop quiz in chemistry class? Because you felt a funny lump in your armpit?
Once you’ve found what caused the spiral, it’s easier to deal with the problem. Think about it like killing a fast-growing vine: If you don’t dig out the roots, the leaves will continue spreading indefinitely.
3. Use your logical brain
Once you’ve dialed down your catastrophic thinking to its source, take time to dissect your specific anxieties about the issue. Now is a great opportunity to practice your meditation skills, lest you fall into yet another spiral during the dissection! Perhaps learning how to drive terrifies you, and you’re thinking of the worst situation or a looming threat every time you get behind the wheel.
Use logic to help defeat your negative thinking. A lot of panic comes down tooverestimating thetruechances of danger. Learning the facts may sooth your mind: Research how often car accidents happen and read up on best driving practices to ensure that you’re the safest driver you can be.
Are your concerns health-related? While it might seem scary, the best cure is seeing your doctor and understanding the treatment options available like cognitive behavioral therapy. Or if you’re struggling at work, talk it through with your boss — chances are they’ll be more kind and receptive than you expected.
4. Challenge your negative thinking
Spirals are scary because the catastrophic thought feels so real, but if you notice yourself slipping, take a deep breath and challenge your beliefs. Ask yourself, “Is this threat realright now?” Perhaps you’ve been stuck in your bed for days waiting for laboratory test results. Your mind may be caught up in a web of worries: Do I have a disease? If I have a disease, am I going to die? Even if I survive, how will I afford my care?
Stop. Focus on the here and the now. If the test results are bad, you can deal with it at that moment — don’t waste time panicking about it now!
You want to challenge your health and pain catastrophizing, but you don’t want to beat yourself up for having anxious intrusive thoughts. Our brain does all sorts of unwelcome things without our consent, and having a panic spiral doesn’t make you a bad person. Don’t get angry at yourself for falling for your mind’s clever trap — focus your energies on escaping its pull.
Get in touch with a professionalNot everyone can overcome their catastrophic thinking solo, and that’s okay! If you’re struggling to rein in your negative thoughts,reach out to a therapistfor additional help.They can work through the causes of your catastrophic thinking and recommend specific, tailored-to-you exercises and techniques. With their help, you can step out of the spiral and start living again.
Get in touch with a professional
Not everyone can overcome their catastrophic thinking solo, and that’s okay! If you’re struggling to rein in your negative thoughts,reach out to a therapistfor additional help.
They can work through the causes of your catastrophic thinking and recommend specific, tailored-to-you exercises and techniques. With their help, you can step out of the spiral and start living again.
See References
McEwen, Bruce S. European journal of pharmacology vol. 583,2-3 (2008): 174-85. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.11.071. Accessed December 28, 2021.
Dr. Patrick Keelan, Calgary Psychologist. Published November 25, 2013. Accessed December 28, 2021.
Jill DainoJill E. Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH, is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and program director. She works to support quality clinical care at Talkspace. Her work as a clinician and trainer focuses on the mental health impact of body image concerns and eating disorders across the lifespan.
Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH, is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and program director. She works to support quality clinical care at Talkspace. Her work as a clinician and trainer focuses on the mental health impact of body image concerns and eating disorders across the lifespan.
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