catastrophizing
kuh-TAS-truh-fy-zing
Definition
The psychological habit of automatically assuming the worst possible outcome or exaggerating the potential impact of a negative event or pain sensation.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'katastrophē' meaning 'an overturning' or 'end', combined with the English suffix '-ize' and '-ing'. The term was popularized in psychology by Albert Ellis to describe irrational cognitive distortions.
In the news
In the study, therapists address catastrophizing to help chronic pain patients break the cycle of fear-avoidance, which can exacerbate physical suffering. Reducing this cognitive pattern is a key goal of the combined psychotherapy and ketamine treatment approach.
Ketamine and psychotherapy show promise as a combined approach to chronic neuropathic pain
Read the full article ↗Medical Xpress