Psychology
Attachment styles: what the research actually says
Attachment theory is solid science, but the four “styles” online are a simplification. They are sliding scales, not fixed types, and they can change.
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Catastrophising
Pronounced kuh-TAS-truh-fy-zing
Also known as Catastrophizing, Catastrophic thinking, Expecting the worst
Jumping to the worst possible outcome and treating it as likely, or treating an uncomfortable situation as unbearable. A common thinking habit in anxiety.
In Psychology
Catastrophising is a thinking habit in which the mind leaps to the worst outcome, however unlikely, and treats it as probable — or decides that a difficult situation is unbearable when it is only uncomfortable. A headache becomes a brain tumour; a late reply becomes an accident; one poor exam mark becomes a ruined future.
It is one of the best-known and sits at the heart of , where a racing heart is read as a heart attack and the fear itself makes the heart race faster.
Checking the thought
- What is the evidence for and against this?
- What is the most likely outcome, not just the worst?
- If the worst did happen, how would I cope?
- What would I say to a friend who was thinking this?
These are the questions used in . NHS self-help sums up the approach as "catch it, check it, change it".
Where this comes up
Psychology
Chronic pain and the mind: why pain lasts and what helps
Long-term pain is real, but the nervous system can turn its volume up. Movement and psychological therapy help more than ever-stronger painkillers.
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Psychology
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): how it works
CBT helps you spot the thoughts and habits that keep anxiety and low mood going, and test them in real life. What happens in sessions, what it treats, and its limits.
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Psychology
Cognitive biases: the thinking shortcuts that mislead us about health
Cognitive biases are predictable errors built into normal thinking. Knowing the common ones helps you judge medicines, forwards and advice more clearly.
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Related terms
- Cognitive distortionCognitive distortions, Thinking errorsA habitual, inaccurate way of reading events — such as all-or-nothing thinking or mind reading — that makes things seem worse than they are. Spotting them is central to CBT.
- Panic attackPanic attacks, Ghabrahat ka dauraA sudden rush of intense fear with strong physical symptoms such as a racing heart, breathlessness and shaking. It peaks within minutes and, although frightening, is not dangerous.
- RuminationOverthinking, BroodingGoing over the same upsetting thoughts again and again — why something happened, what it means, what is wrong with you — without reaching a solution. It deepens low mood.
- Cognitive behavioural therapyCBT, Cognitive behavioral therapyA structured, time-limited talking therapy that helps you notice and change the thoughts and behaviours that keep a problem going. It is a first-line treatment for depression and most anxiety problems.
- Anxiety disorderAnxiety disorders, AnxietyWorry or fear that is stronger than the situation calls for, lasts for weeks or months, and gets in the way of daily life. Anxiety disorders are common and treatable.