catastrophize

[kuh-tas-truh-fahyz]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with or without object)

catastrophized, catastrophizing

to view or talk about (an event or situation) as worse than it actually is, or assume it will have the worst possible outcome; overreact.
Stop catastrophizing and get on with your life!
She tends to catastrophize her symptoms.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophize¹

First recorded in 1960–65; catastroph(e) + -ize

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If you’re someone who tends to catastrophize, learning that someone is not feeling the same way as you can help give you some perspective, said Siegel.

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Some people may have catastrophizing, or excessive worry, in the face of pain that can make pain and recovery worse.

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We love to catastrophize about traffic headaches — it’s in our civic DNA, after all — but what so often happens isn’t as bad as we thought it would be.

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After all, people who make a living from catastrophizing like catastrophes.

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CBT participants also exhibited significantly less pain catastrophizing and reported that their FM symptoms had significantly less impact on their daily lives.

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When To Use

�� does catastrophize mean?

To catastrophize is to think of a situation as much worse than it really is—to act as if a negative circumstance is the worst possible scenario.A catastrophe is a disaster or an utter failure or fiasco—it’s when something has gone wrong in the worst way. Catastrophize comes from psychology but is now also used in everyday speech. In British English, it’s usually spelled catastrophise.Example: I wish you wouldn’t catastrophize,” she said. “Things really aren’t that bad!

catastrophism catatonia

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