Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion where an individual assumes the worst-case scenario, often without evidence, and exaggerates the potential consequences of a situation. Here's an example and a reframed version:
Example: "I just got a parking ticket, and now I'll never be able to afford my rent. I'll end up losing my apartment, and I'll be homeless."
Reframed version: "I got a parking ticket, which is frustrating and expensive. However, I can afford to pay the fine, and it's a one-time mistake. I'll make sure to be more careful in the future, and it won't affect my ability to pay my rent."
In the reframed version, the individual acknowledges the inconvenience of the parking ticket but puts it into perspective, focusing on the actual consequences rather than jumping to extreme and unlikely outcomes.