Awfulizing is a term coined by Albert
Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). It refers to a
cognitive distortion where an individual tends to focus on or exaggerate the
negative aspects of a situation, often making it seem worse than it actually is
(Tobias, 2015). Essentially, awfulizing involves thinking about an event as
horrific and terrible, which can lead to unhealthy negative emotions like
anger, anxiety, and depression. Ellis emphasized that challenging this tendency
to awfulize events can be helpful for coping and mental well-being.
Examples
School-
missing an assignment deadline.
I’m going to fail this class. I’ll never
get a good recommendation.
Challenge: Communication and corrective
action may improve the situation. A professor’s recommendations are often based
on a history with a student rather than a one time event.
Relationships: A minor disagreement in a relationship
That’s it. It’s over. We’ve come to a
parting of the ways.
Challenge: It’s normal for people to
disagree. If there was an offense, it can be forgiven.
Religious- an
exaggerated moral failure
I’m a sinner. I can never do anything right.
I’m headed for hell.
Challenge: All people struggle to do what
is right. There is grace and mercy. Sins can be forgiven.
References
Ellis, A., & Harper, R. A. (1975). A new guide to rational living. New York: Prentice-Hall. [Read a summary]
Tobias, K. (2015). Awfulizing time. Albert
Ellis Institute. Retrieved from (https://albertellis.org/2015/07/awfulizing-time/).
Sutton, G. W. (2024, April 24). Awfulizing
in psychology. PSYCHOLOGY concepts and theories. Retrieved from https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2024/04/awfulizing-in-psychology.html
Related Posts
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
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