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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sleepygirl on April 17, 2007, at 17:27:35
I'm trying to understand what might be the value in expecting the worst, how would that help to make things "safer"?
I'm trying to understand someone else in this particular instance, although I am sure I am no stranger to this particular thing ;-).
thanks...
any feedback appreciated
-sg
Posted by 10derHeart on April 17, 2007, at 17:51:26
In reply to anyone got insight on the value of catastophizing?, posted by sleepygirl on April 17, 2007, at 17:27:35
Really super low expectations, so as to avoid disappointment? If you count on the worst, *anything* better than that will seem pretty darn good, right? A way of protecting oneself from potential hurt, I think.
Not *safe* to count on "more" especially from other people, as they can let us down, and that feels bad?
Make any sense?
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on April 17, 2007, at 21:51:57
In reply to Re: anyone got insight on the value of catastophizing? » sleepygirl, posted by 10derHeart on April 17, 2007, at 17:51:26
worst-case scenarios are my specialty
helps me to plan for the worst thing. like taking an umbrella on a sunny day.
like knowing that seeing my parents will likely trigger intense dissociation (if dissociation can be intense) and then being somewhat suprised when I survive yet another family event.
maybe this helps?
worst case scenario = I didn't help you and I hurt you instead. In which case. here's a band-aid and I sincerely apologize.
Posted by Racer on April 18, 2007, at 15:58:09
In reply to Re: anyone got insight on the value of catastophiz, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on April 17, 2007, at 21:51:57
My Mom goes into a little rant now and again, when her anxiety is highest, and she'll start catastrophizing to a very, very extreme degree -- eventually getting out of reality into truly surreal territory. Once she's solidly out of reality, though, she'll start giggling a little, and then getting a little wilder with her worst case scenarios, and then giggling a little more. Eventually, she'll be calmer, because she's just jostled her way out of her anxiety.
I'm sure she's not the only one who does that sort of thing. I know I use it sometimes, especially when I'm talking to someone else who's starting to catastrophize -- most of my friends know that they'll get worst case scenarios that end with space aliens conducting rude examinations on them, and probably the earth being knocked off its axis and flying off into space. Probably doesn't make me too popular, but at least it usually gets a laugh...
Posted by bil on April 18, 2007, at 17:08:22
In reply to Sometimes it makes things funny, posted by Racer on April 18, 2007, at 15:58:09
Yeah, I was reading in a novel a few weeks ago where the main character would do that- and it was funny, so I've tried it a few times as well.
Something along the lines of, "Ok, I missed my bus and was really late for something I really needed to be on time for-
BUT if I'd HAD caught the bus it would have been hijacked by a deluded confederate soldier, (who has been hiding out in the wilds of Alabama or some such place for 150-ish years not realising that the war is OVER) and being totally confused by the finer points of driving in 21st century traffic he causes an enormous pile-up which results in me being paralysed from the neck down in a wheelchair, at the mercy of my parents who torture me by dragging me to church TWICE every Sunday, as well as to every bible-study prayer-meeting hellish tedious sermon within a 100 mile radius.... aarrrggghhh!!!Gosh- I'm really lucky I missed that bus.
bil
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on April 18, 2007, at 17:16:43
In reply to Re: Sometimes it makes things funny, posted by bil on April 18, 2007, at 17:08:22
This is the end of the thread.
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