Is it normal to think the worst case scenario in most situations?

LegacyUser

Hi,

Just wondering if other people experience this. I seem to think the worst out of situations, from simple to serious. For example, if someone was a couple of minutes late I'll immediately jump to the conclusion that they've crashed, or if the phone rings my first thought is that its the guards or something sinister. Or even more ridiculous, if I know somebody is coming to the house and somebody else is leaving at a similar time, I'll conjure up images of them crashing into each other. Is this normal? I know my mothers the same, although we've never talked about it

Thanks

Rubberchikken

You and ypur mom may never have spoken about it but it could be a learned thing from hearing her worry about things over the years.

You know the thoughts don't make sense so i think you need to work on changing your thinking.
Maybe when you get a chance a chat with your gp would help.
Take care

bee06

I have similar thoughts but not to the same extent. For me it's very much learned behaviour from my mother and her mother was the same. Over the years I've made an effort to not let these thoughts get to me. When I think things like that I remind myself that I'm being stupid and worrying gets me nowhere. It has helped and I'm a lot more relaxed about stuff now than 10 years ago. I definitely don't want to pass my anxiety onto my children!

yaya*

I think it's called 'catastrophizing'- thinking the worst about situations. I used to do it all the time, like yourself. I managed to stop just by noticing it and talking myself around it but I'd say going to CBT or some form of therapy would probably help to sort it quicker!

StevieNicksFan

Worrior123 wrote: »

Hi,

Just wondering if other people experience this. I seem to think the worst out of situations, from simple to serious. For example, if someone was a couple of minutes late I'll immediately jump to the conclusion that they've crashed, or if the phone rings my first thought is that its the guards or something sinister. Or even more ridiculous, if I know somebody is coming to the house and somebody else is leaving at a similar time, I'll conjure up images of them crashing into each other. Is this normal? I know my mothers the same, although we've never talked about it

Thanks

Have you suffered a traumatic event recently OP? I was exactly like you after I was injured in a car accident. Constantly worrying about things that probably will never happen, as you say worst case scenario. Wasn't helped by the fact that another family member was a natural worrier anyway and these thoughts were exacerbated by that too. CBT and counselling really helped me to understand how there are only certain things in the environment we can control and everything else may happen or not. Not up to us to worry about it as we can't to anything to change it.

The accident I was in was completely out of the blue and not my fault - wrong place wrong time kinda scenario - and I was a nervous wreck after it, constantly thinking 'oh what if a tree falls on my friend on her way home from my house'. Irrational thinking but influenced by my environment and the people around me. I suspect that this is the same for you OP so I would definitely recommend some form of CBT - it does work if you are willing to work at it

Sala

No it's not normal, and it's a horrible way to live. I worry about everything too and I wish I was happy go lucky! I certainly think it's learned behaviour and/or a bit of disposition thrown in, but that doesn't mean it's right. If you are ok with it and it doesn't affect your life too much, ok, but you could potentially benefit from some professional help. There are enough things in life to worry about without stressing over things that never happen as well!! I'm personally trying mediation