For a lot of us with anxiety, it can be difficult to refrain from turning small negative thoughts into insurmountable, catastrophizing ones. We go from “this is happening” to “worst-case scenario” at the snap of a finger. It’s often not a conscious choice, but rather a misfiring of synapses (and a hefty imagination) that can lead us down some very scary mental paths.

Luckily, there are excellent tricks that can quell that way of thinking almost immediately. Many have discussed the importance of processing anxiety through therapy or meditation, but if you’re looking for a faster fix, one in particular often works.

Why we may catastrophize

In a piece reviewed by Dr. Stephen Gans, MD, for VeryWellMind, journalist and mental health advocate Adam England discusses how common it is for the human mind to make these negative leaps.  He writes, “We may catastrophize if we’ve had negative past experiences, particularly in a similar situation, or if we have low self-esteem or a mental health condition like depression or anxiety.”

He also illustrates how quickly “logic” goes out the window when we’re having these thoughts, particularly as it pertains to the future. Those worries often loop and re-loop until they get snagged in a cesspool of rumination. But it’s the thoughts themselves that are faulty.

England shares a parable from a........

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