I (22M) have slowly begun to understand over the past 5 or so years that I catastrophize, a lot. From the time I broke my wrist (and ruined a good relationship over worrying about it never healing) to thinking I'll fail every single employer drug test I taken (about 6) despite not using drugs, to moving into an apartment with a funky smell in college and thinking I'll never make friends because of it, to thinking I may be a dad every time I have a hookup despite using a condom/being on the same page, etc. Other silly things have popped up over the years but you get the point.

My mind fixates and tries to problem solve an unsolvable issue to the point where I get severe morning anxiety, dry heaves, zone out in front of screens, self-medicate, limit eating, and whenever I talk with someone I keep bringing up the "catastrophe" I'm facing.

It started with my parents calling me a "worry wart" all my life growing up to realizing I have a legitimate cognitive problem. I've seen a couple therapists over the years and been on a few medications and things have gotten better. I've had noticeable progress and a lot of lifestyle changes I've made have been helpful to me as well.

It's somewhat comical that I can KNOW I'm being irrational, but it does little to stop the train of thought. Like the simple thought of "oh, I'm doing it again" is met with "yeah, but what if its a REAL problem this time?!?"