Which statement illustrates catastrophizing?

• A. If I fail this exam, my entire career will be ruined.
• B. I made a mistake, I can fix it.
• C. I did my best.
• D. This test is hard, but I can study and improve.

Answer: (A)

Catastrophizing involves imagining the worst possible outcome as certain or unavoidable and treating it as a total, irreversible disaster from a single event. The statement “If I fail this exam, my entire career will be ruined” does this by linking one setback to a global, permanent consequence, ignoring likelihood, context, and opportunities to recover or improve.

The other statements show more adaptive thinking: acknowledging a mistake and considering how to fix it, recognizing effort without assuming catastrophe, and facing a hard test with a plan to study and improve. These reflect flexible problem-solving and resilience rather than exaggerated, doom-filled thinking.