Catastrophizing – Catastrophizing is the habit of automatically assuming a “worst case scenario” and inappropriately characterizing minor or moderate problems or issues as catastrophic events.
Description:
Catastrophizing is sometimes referred to as “over-reacting”.
There are different motivations a person with a personality disorder may have for catastrophizing:
- To draw attention to themselves,
- To draw attention away from another issue,
- To navigate unsuspecting bystanders towards a “desirable” course of action,
- To “punish” or hurt another individual for a perceived hurt,
- To justify an action which might otherwise be viewed as inappropriate,
- To produce a desired reaction or response from an individual.
Examples of Catastrophizing:
- A mother who habitually rushes her child to the emergency room in response to a minor accident or illness.
- A friend who contemplates suicide in response to making an unwise purchase.
- A spouse who accuses their partner of infidelity when they strike up a conversation or friendship with a member of the opposite sex.
- A person who feels abandoned when their partner is a few minutes late for a date.
- A sibling who describes “wants” as “needs”.
PTSD - A Way Out.com 
Posted by jeffssong on July 16, 2012 at 3:15 pm
This would describe my mom and brother. Everything is the “end of the world. Again.” Except for the medical thing for kids. That was ignored. Their philosophy was “if a kid can still cry, scream, get up and run – then they’re not hurt enough to need a the doctor.” Ever.
Posted by Marty on July 16, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Some have an angry cloud that follows them
Posted by Jim Doyle on December 19, 2013 at 9:24 pm
This has followed me all my life:” Oh,Jesus Christ Almighty”! Etc.,etc. Dear mama
would scream at top of voice—–why? Oh,well,a terrible little drop of milk was spilled,
phone the emergency services!!! Seriously,this is one hell of a thing to overcome
when one has watched and heard it EVERY SINGLE DAY as a child.