They tend to be fairly anxious people and on hearing uncertain news, they imagine the worst possible outcome. If a catastrophiser is told something inconclusive, they look for a way to feel in control again immediately. They learn to choose the worst possible outcome because it allows for the greatest sense of relief when they are reassured.

Catastrophisers

Catastrophisers rush to external sources to calm themselves down: matching symptoms online to obtain a diagnosis and treatment options; asking a professional to tell them that they will survive etc. Once they are reassured, they feel better – in psychological jargon, they have “rewarded” this seeking behaviour.But this way to alleviate anxiety offers only temporary relief.

External seeking behaviour

<ul><li>Look for enjoyable ways to challenge yourself and use your energy more positively;</li><li>Take control. Establish a regular “worry time”;</li><li>Ask yourself what you would advise your best friend to do about each concern, and take that action;</li><li>Learn to self-soothe. </li></ul>

How to stop catastrophising

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After all, it is not uncommon and those who catastrophise seem to do it a lot. Catastrophisers tend to be fairly anxious people. Whether this characteristic is principally genetic or more the result of learning is unknown. High levels of anxiety are extremely unpleasant, so we look for ways to discharge those unpleasant feelings as quickly as possible. If a catastrophiser is told something inconclusive – for example, if they go to a GP and are asked to have tests – they look for a way to feel in control again immediately. They learn to choose the worst possible outcome because it allows for the greatest sense of relief when they are reassured.
Considering all possibilities is not a bad strategy if you examine them logically. However, unable to bear their distress, catastrophisers rush to external sources to calm themselves down: checking whether anyone else has “come through” the same problem; matching symptoms online to obtain a diagnosis and treatment options; asking a professional to tell them that they will survive. Once they are reassured, they feel better – in psychological jargon, they have “rewarded” this seeking behaviour. 
The only way to break this cycle is to tame anxiety. After this, you can still seek advice. So, if you are a catastrophiser and you would rather not be, how do you go about making changes?
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A clinical psychologist suggests a three-pronged plan for tackling anxiety and approaching each day logically and positively

How to stop catastrophising - an expert's guide

Catastrophisers

External seeking behaviour

How to stop catastrophising

Donnie Blizzard's ideas are part of this journey:

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