concept

catastrophizing

Also known as: catastrophic thinking, catastrophizers

Facts (12)

Sources

Associations between pain intensity, psychosocial factors ... - Nature nature.com Nature Jun 12, 2024 7 facts

claimCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce disability in chronic pain patients by diminishing maladaptive responses like pain-related fear and catastrophizing, while strengthening self-efficacy.

referenceB. A. Arnow et al. published a study in 2011 in General Hospital Psychiatry regarding the relationships between catastrophizing, depression, and pain-related disability.

claimWhile fear can be an adaptive response to acute pain, excessive focus on pain and catastrophic thinking can result in maladaptive cognitive and behavioral responses.

claimIn a meta-analysis of the relationship between pain and disability, self-efficacy, psychological distress, and fear were identified as mediators, while catastrophizing did not show a mediating effect.

claimThe study found that the relationship between catastrophizing, psychological distress, perceived injustice, sleep problems, and pain-related disability was stronger than the relationship between fatigue and pain-related disability.

claimPerceived injustice is defined as a factor encompassing worry or concern, feelings of helplessness, and negative outlooks for the future, and it is known to correlate with catastrophic thinking about pain.

measurementOn the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, individuals scoring 24 points or more are considered catastrophizers, while those scoring below 15 points are considered non-catastrophizers.

CBT for Anxiety: Evidence-Based Techniques for Lasting Relief revivespokane.com Revive Spokane Oct 22, 2025 2 facts

procedureIn Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), patients use relaxation training to manage physical symptoms of anxiety and cognitive restructuring to address the catastrophic thinking that intensifies those physical sensations.

claimCommon types of negative thinking that contribute to anxiety include catastrophizing (assuming the worst possible outcome), all-or-nothing thinking (seeing situations as completely good or bad), overgeneralizing (applying one negative experience to all similar situations), and mind-reading (assuming you know what others are thinking).

Cognitive Stress Management Therapy | CBT for Stress cognitivetherapynyc.com Cognitive Therapy NYC 1 fact

procedureFor a person who catastrophizes job setbacks and engages in emotional eating, a beneficial stress management plan could include: (1) exercises to challenge automatic thoughts, such as examining the evidence for or against being fired, and (2) instructions in diaphragmatic breathing and mindful eating at meal times.

A systematic review of cognitive behavioral therapy-based ... frontiersin.org Frontiers 1 fact

measurementGasslander et al. (2022) found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) resulted in significant differences in coping strategies of ignoring and catastrophizing at post-treatment compared to treatment as usual (TAU), with small effect sizes of d = 0.38 and d = 0.34.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Anxiety ... openpublichealthjournal.com The Open Public Health Journal 1 fact

procedureCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treatment strategies for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) include problem-solving training, visual exposure, recording thoughts and worries, and recognizing unpleasant and uncontrollable thoughts to help patients overcome worries and avoid catastrophic thinking.