Catastrophizing: How to Stop Making Yourself Anxious and Depressed

Catastrophizing is when someone assumes that the worst will happen. Often, it involves believing that you're in a worse situation than you really are or exaggerating the difficulties you face.

This over time causes depression and anxiety. The brain continues to look for these "problems" that actually aren't problems.

There are a few ways to stop catastrophizing. I love challenging thoughts. This is one of the times when we can actually use logic.

In my new video, I show you how to challenge a thought so you can stop assuming the worst. 😉

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– – – Disclaimer – – –
For information purposes only. Does not constitute clinical advice. Consult your local medical authority for advice.

[sashwathisriganesh]

I catastrophize so much with my real event ocd! Both about the past (re imagining the event way worse than it was) and worrying about the future outcomes. I’m working hard on realizing how unrealistic those thoughts are and accepting the uncertainty around them.

[gisseller]

this happens to me a lot it’s almost like it’s on autopilot. i usually tell myself “this scenerio may or may not happen but it’s not happening rn so I am letting it go” or “i am not engaging with this thought any longer”

[ag]

This video made me cry.
I know for a fact that the thing am catastrophizing is no real, but it still hunts me. It is destroying my life.
I hope we all overcome this.

[VeganowledgeJJ]

I feel like I’ll do good with intrusive thoughts for like an hour and then the minute I brag that look at me I’m not doing my compulsions as much it seems like they get worse… And I remember you saying something like they’re going to try to work harder to get in when we’re close to overcoming them! Thanks for the great videos

[zachhickok]

Thank you so much for making these videos. It can be SO hard to live with OCD. It's validating knowing that I'm not alone. Let's all heal together!

[selenawarren]

I catastrophise my real events/false memory ocd so much. I'll remember false intentions, and false thoughts I've "had". I need to move on from this. It's not easy but I think I can do it

[twilightsquire]

Today I spoke to a therapist on the phone for an assessment on my mental health, he realised quite quickly it was OCD I was suffering with and as I explained more he told me that I was catastrophising my thoughts, I'm honestly thankful to now know I am not insane or alone ❤

[timcook]

I catastrophize so bad that I get paralyzed

[UwU-vkiw]

The judge method is such a game changer I'm in disbelief. It genuinely helps a lot! Thank you!

[fin]

First time I smoked marijuana my anxiety went all the way up because I had ocd and it got worse, I started to believe all my thoughts were real when in reality all other thoughts were just random stuff that popped up, I struggled for 2 years then after learning about your channel you made me change my perspective of how the brain creates things to protect us and how we interfere in that process, by just letting the brain do what it wants without judgement or chasing for answers

[eunicec]

I catastrophise about the possibility that I might develop cancer because I read that anxiety or ocd might affect our immune system and its ability to counteract cancer cells

[SouthBayEngr]

Glad I waited til the end. My question was going to be “how do we know when to challenge thoughts vs when to use the ‘maybe/maybe not’ approach?” Sometimes there is overlap between the intrusive thoughts and anxious thoughts.

[miked]

I find your videos so helpful. Can you do one for people who actually do have slowly progressing, life threatening diseases like myself? It’s so hard when there is some logic to the thoughts but they’re just out of proportion to the moment and sucking the value out of day-to-day.

[odenvasquez]

Watching you has truly helped with my OCD. Thank you young man.

[MrSeanVideos]

This is my biggest problem I have dealt with. Most of it deals with health issues, but also tragic events. I try to use logic to counteract the thoughts.

[beckwilde]

Thank you for adding the last example of your son! It's a good reminder that when we challenge our catastrophe thoughts like that. We're talking to our fearful inner child!

[zzzcocopepe]

Idk why but "stop catastrophizing" is SOOOO helpful to me.

[seanabbott]

Always the best! Thanks for all your content. You’re a talented individual, always making me laugh!
Learning to know the difference between what should be challenged and what should be released.

[GK-jipm]

I have also always thought the worst when put on the spot or under unexpectedly being called in to talk with supervisor types....Then, I came to realize that getting nervous was not based on reality....If you did something wrong, you know you did which is totally different....I adopted a way of thinking and it has helped....I won't worry until I have reason to know it sounds simplistic but it works...

[chadgarber]

Excellent. Its amazing any of us can function in life at all with all the risks and uncertainties.