Decatastrophizing
Catastrophic thinking (magnification) is characteristic of many anxiety problems. This CBT worksheet for decatastrophizing is a tool for cognitive restructuring and promotes the elaboration of balanced responses.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
The Decatastrophizing worksheet is taken from the book Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic. Decatastrophizing is a cognitive restructuring technique to reduce or challenge catastrophic thinking. The term 'decatastrophizing' was coined by Albert Ellis who developed REBT, but as a technique it is equally at home within a CBT model.
Therapist Guidance
Catastrophizing involves a number of cognitive distortions:
- Overestimation of the likelihood of an event
- Overestimation of the 'awfulness' of an event
- Underestimation of our ability to cope with the event should it happen
References And Further Reading
- Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and Emotion In Psychotherapy. New York: Lyle Stuart
- Whalley, M. G. (2017). Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic. Psychology Tools