Catastrophism bias

Catastrophism is a very common cognitive bias that consists of the tendency to expect or imagine the worst possible outcome of a situation, magnifying its negative consequences and assuming that, if something can go wrong, it will not only go wrong.

It will go in the worst way imaginable. This thought pattern can generate considerable distress and a distorted view of problems.

Manifestations of Catastrophic Thinking

A person with a tendency to catastrophism may, for example, interpret a simple headache as a symptom of a serious disease, such as a brain tumor, without considering other much more probable and less alarming explanations.

Similarly, a job layoff could lead to a spiral of negative thoughts, imagining a future of total failure, abandonment and misery ("I will never be able to find a job again", "my wife will leave me", "I will end up alone, sad and abandoned under a bridge").

These types of thoughts often begin with the phrase "What if?", anticipating terrible scenarios: "What if my father dies tomorrow?", "What if I get that letter from the IRS?", "What if I get fired from my job?".

Consequences of Catastrophism

The main problem with this thought pattern is that it keeps the person in a state of constant alertness and activation, which can be detrimental to physical and mental health.

It generates anxiety, fear and a feeling of continuous threat, even when there is no real or imminent danger.

Questioning Catastrophic Thinking

To counteract catastrophism, it is useful to adopt a more statistical and evidence-based approach.

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