Friday, April 8, 2022

Escaping the Catastrophizing Trap

Catastrophizing is unhealthy for both brain and body and unpleasant to hear. Fortunately, it is possible to develop a new mindset and habits. Here are several tips.

Become aware of yourself experiencing cognitive distortions and picturing a catastrophe. Estimates are that 50 percent of problems in life are of a person’s own making based on personal choices. Identify a past problem and imagine a different outcome based on making a different choice.

·       Distinguish between positive, neutral, negative, or catastrophic outcomes. Failing to be hired in a job you wanted or failing an exam can be a negative outcome. It does not mean you will never find a job or be doomed to fail all exams.

 Practice weighing possibility versus probability. Consider a range of potential outcomes from low possibility to high probability. If you do not know how to swim, spontaneously trying to swim the English Channel would be a poor choice with a high probability of serious consequences. More to come.

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