How to Stop Catastrophizing (in 5 Simple Steps!)

How to Stop Catastrophizing (in 5 Simple Steps!). This video will help you stop catastrophic thinking. Catastrophic thinking is a type of distorted thinking discussed in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A CBT log and CBT journaling can be helpful for catastrophizing. Other cognitive behavioral therapy tools that are helpful are diaphragmatic breathing and the serenity prayer. Barbara Heffernan walks you through how to stop catastrophizing. She explains what cognitive distortions are and how they are connected to catastrophizing, anxiety and anxious thinking. You will live a happier live if you learn not to catastrophize.
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Disclaimer:
This video was created by Barbara Heffernan, LCSW for educational purposes only. These videos are not diagnostic and provide no individual consultation. Consumption of these materials is for your own education and any medical, psychological, or professional care decisions should be made between you and your primary care doctor or another provider that you are engaged with. Barbara Heffernan is not available for individual consultation via YouTube, social media, or email, and provides services only in the manner mentioned above.

[tcarousel]

Thank you for the video. How can you identify if you are having catastrophic thoughts or it’s in fact the reality of the pandemic?

[mryee]

This was very helpful. I wouldn't wish my anxiety and depression on anyone. If you're reading this, God loves you, hang in there, you will be rewarded 10x your pain and suffering. Have faith and look forward to better days ahead. ❤️

[Nana-vgxb]

I can absolutely relate to this. I panic because I panic because I might panic and if I do, then I might have a heart attack or give myself a stroke. I am working very hard to try to overcome this.

[JustSamMorris]

I catastrophize everything. I didn’t know it had a name. When it goes away for a while I think I’m well, then it comes back. It can be about work, taxes, health, relationships, anything. It always chooses a target and goes with it. It’s suffocating. I can’t help myself with it. :( I will try these things in your video.

[sksea]

1. Increase awareness of your thoughts.
2. Label your thoughts.
3. Become aware of connection between your thoughts and physical feelings.
4. Journaling or cbt thought log.
5. Serenity prayer.

[sunglassesjohn]

I am facing a very real, potentially life changing circumstance. I have done all I can to positively influence the outcome. The decision making is completely out of my hands, and so now, I must wait.
Today I was full of panic and anxiety, greif and remorse for something that hasn't even happened. I felt wretched.
I ran a hot bath, settled in and played your video. It changed my world. ❤️x

[TorAbrams]

I catastrophise rarely nowadays and have followed most of the steps in your video over the past few years. Everything you say here is very true 👍

[ramonaem]

I catastrophically think about everything, every bill to pay, every little pain, every situation, I feel insecure and alone 😓

[MrCubsfan]

Like one of the comments below, my catastrophizing involves the health of my loved ones, and very rarely (but not never) my health. My thoughts race to the worst possible outcome literally instantly, and become quite nauseous and panicked. The problem is that because there is always a change, albeit small, that the health issue is serious, I treat it as a fact, and I feel pretty much helpless. Your videos are great. Thank you.

[xein]

I’ve been sick lately and the doctors don’t know what it is yet. It’s been a month going through tests. So I’m catastrophizing about everything and imagining I’ve got everything from cancer to permanent diseases/syndromes. One symptom I have is a wide pressure over my chest and rib cage. It makes it a bit difficult to take deep breathes. I drive myself into a panic and make it infinitely worse to the point I don’t even know if the pain is intense as it feels because I might just suffer from chest pains from anxiety on top of everything. Realized I had to calm down, and turned to YouTube and found this. This is helping me calm down. So thank you.

[babycakes]

You look great in this haircut Barbara.
It is always nice to hear you. I do catastophize sometimes, and it spirals down worse once I start. It makes me all kinds of depressed and exhausted. If I feel mentally right, the catastrophizing doesn't get me, but if I feel down, that's when the catastrophizing spirals out of control.
I am looking for a job now and it it easy to catastrophize at times, even though I try not to.

[clovisrogers]

I do this all the time, and it really makes me sick emotionally😢 anxiety off the chart. I’m watching these videos, and I thank you for your videos. I’m working on these things as you speak. Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[Steve-htry]

Hi Barbara
I am 62 year old male that suffers from catastrophic thoughts, and the terror I feel is exhausting to me and my wonderful spouse. My thoughts usually revolve around loved ones health issues. The word cancer paralyzes me. No no cancer yet. I appreciate your video especially the faith aspect. I do believe in God, I guess i am narcissistic enough to think I can do better😊. So I am working hard on that aspect of my faith. Thank you for your video it does help. God bless you. You are helping many many people.

[rukirgb]

I'm just coming out from doing this for a week. It's been that I'm going crazy, can't control my brain or "what if you go crazy enough to hurt yourself". It's been so bad I almost admitted myself because I couldn't stop. That you for all of your videos. You are saving lives!

[susanpettenati]

I catastrophize the loss of my spouse or adult children - and my own health. Thank you for this; it helps!

[kandiceb]

I’ve been suffering from really severe health anxiety for months now. I know I’m catastrophizing but I can’t stop it. I feel like I’m going crazy.

[JessGuinan]

Found your video because I've been stressing out at work and catastrophizing a situation where I made a fairly big mistake. I dealt with it, and I'm dealing with fallout, but it's not as awful as I imagined.

[MarkJweather]

Stressing about physical pains I am having...always leads to Catastrophizing

[KymGphoto]

Always Catastophizing about health.... ocd health anxiety

[Fae-bts]

I keep getting strange health problems, it is making my anxiety horrible. I've never seen anything like it and the wait to see my doctor is brutal.