For some people, the glass isn’t just half empty, it’s likely to shatter on the floor, sending glass flying and destruction everywhere.
Overthinking is something plenty of us struggle with (I know I do!), but when you go from replaying conversations or events in your head repeatedly to expecting absolute disaster to strike, you know there’s a problem. Catastrophic thinkers always assume the worst, no matter what, and it can be incredibly draining not only for them but for everyone around them. Here are some signs you’re dealing with someone like that (or you might be one yourself!).
1. The worst possible outcome is basically a foregone conclusion to them.
These people can’t help but jump to the most terrible conclusion in any situation. Got a headache? Must be a brain tumour. Boss wants a chat? Definitely getting sacked. It’s exhausting just being around them sometimes.
2. They use words like “always” and “never” a lot.
Listen closely, and you’ll hear these absolute terms pop up constantly. “I’ll never get that promotion” or “This always happens to me” are regular parts of their vocabulary. There’s no room for middle ground in their world; it’s either good or very, very bad (and it’s usually the latter).
3. They overthink every little detail.
A simple text message can send them into a spiral of what-ifs. They’ll analyse every word, punctuation mark, and even the time it was sent. They can never seem to take things at face value — there’s always a (negative) hidden context.
4. They have trouble sleeping.
Their mind’s always racing with worst-case scenarios, making it hard to switch off at night. They’re often knackered during the day because they’ve been up half the night worrying about things that probably won’t even happen.
5. They struggle to make decisions.
Choosing what to have for lunch becomes a major ordeal. They’re paralysed by the fear of making the ‘wrong’ choice, even for small stuff. It’s like every decision could lead to the end of the world (and in their minds, it probably will).
6. They often feel physically unwell.
All that worry takes a toll on their body. They might complain of headaches, stomach issues, or just feeling run down all the time. Their body’s basically throwing in the towel from all the stress.
7. They seek constant reassurance.
They’re always asking for confirmation that things are okay. “Are you sure you’re not mad at me?” “Do you think this email sounds alright?” They need a constant stream of reassurance just to get through the day, but even that does little to quell their worries.
8. They have a hard time enjoying the present.
Even when good things are happening, they’re too busy worrying about what could go wrong to actually enjoy it. They can never just let themselves have a good time without waiting for the other shoe to drop.
9. They often start sentences with “What if…”
This is their favourite phrase. “What if I fail?” “What if no one likes me?” They’ve got a talent for coming up with scenarios that probably won’t ever happen. It’s especially sad because they’ve never come up with a “what if” situation that ended in something GOOD happening.
10. They take things very personally.
If someone’s in a bad mood, they automatically assume they’ve done something wrong. A friend doesn’t text back right away? Must be upset with them. It’s like they think the whole world revolves around their actions.
11. They struggle to let go of past mistakes.
That embarrassing thing they did five years ago still keeps them up at night. They replay past mistakes over and over, convinced they’ll repeat them or that other people haven’t forgotten either. Meanwhile, chances are people forgot them a very long time ago.
12. They avoid new experiences.
Trying new things is scary because so much could go wrong. They’d rather stick to what they know, even if it means missing out on potentially great experiences. It’s safer that way, in their minds.
13. They often feel overwhelmed.
Even small tasks can feel like massive hurdles, so their to-do list looks more like a mountain than a manageable set of tasks. They often feel like they’re drowning in responsibilities, even when the things on their roster are normal, everyday things that most people deal with.
14. They have a hard time accepting compliments.
When someone says something nice, they’re quick to dismiss it or find a way it could be untrue. It’s like they can’t let themselves believe anything positive about themselves.
15. They’re always preparing for the worst.
They’ve got a plan B, C, and D for everything. While being prepared isn’t bad, they take it to extremes. They’re ready for disasters that will probably never happen, just in case. It’s no way to live, but that’s their daily reality.
