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.

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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
Decatastrophizing means addressing these distortions. Questions to ask might include: "Realistically, what is the worst that could happen?" and "How would I cope if the worst did happen?". This worksheet can be used to guide a client through this decatastrophizing process. In time clients can be guided to lead themselves through this process in anxiety-provoking situations.

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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

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