Help with catastrophic thinking
Hey all, kinda new here so just throwing a flare up to see what techniques or tips for dealing with catastrophic thinking.
It feels that no matter what task or decision gets thrown my way I immediately think of the worst possible outcome.
I still go through with the items and 98% of the time it's fine.
It wrecks me mentally dealing with it until I know it's fine, then I move onto the next unknown dilemma.
Any help would be much appreciated.
@Wantingcalm87
I think many people do this... and continue to do this because maybe at least one or two scenarios the worst case or what we thought was the worst happened...
i kept telling myself.... "i was better prepared as i at least thought about IF this happened", .....In reality i would have handled and found solutions even if i had not spent (sometimes a lot of time) thinking and focusing on it.
I think it is smart to anticipate what if's at least a short thought given.......... but to teach yourself not to dwell on worst case is needed IMO.
I can not tell you how many things or opportunities i missed when thinking worse case....did not go to events or places outside my comfort zone..... worried about what ifs. when i opened up to "i can and will handle things as they come my way " attitude.............. it was freeing and stress fell i still think but give it a quick moment then file it away in my head ....
Question yourself and ask to measure how much time you focus on Best Case Vs Worst case.?
@Wantingcalm87
First, I'm really impressed that you have identified this habit and sought help. This takes a lot of courage and self awareness and these are great tools for making a change.
Someone recently mentioned I was catastrophising. Which led to an evening of catastrophising about catastrophising! :D So I'm not sure that I can give you any great hints or tricks. Except maybe, that you are not alone on this. Maybe we can share tricks as we find them?
One things I'm going to do is practice taking a deep breath. I've learnt it as a part of mindfulness, which I'm not very good at. But I find it can work as a bit of a "reset". The momentary pause and physical stretch of intentionally taking a big breath, seems to give my mind enough space to think "I'm ok" or "I can", and then approach whatever challenge I was facing with a slightly different mindset.
Another thing I have found helpful is part of the AWARE technique. To Acknowledge that I'm panicking. And to Accept that it will pass. When it is ready to. Because, whether they turn out OK or not, they do end one way or the other, eventually.