Episode 69: Catastrophising Isn’t a Character Flaw
Description
In this episode, Bart and Tim explore one of the most misunderstood terms in pain care: catastrophising. More than just negative thinking, this cognitive-emotional process is deeply rooted in attentional networks, threat prediction, and prior experiences.
We cover:
The neuroscience of why catastrophic thinking increases pain
The trap of premature reassurance or cognitive correction
How to work with rumination, not against it
Clinical tools that validate, reframe, and gently open space for possibility
With references to predictive processing, the Fear-Avoidance Model, and years of lived experience, this is a compassionate, grounded take for clinicians wanting to do better by their patients.
🎧 Bonus: Tim shares a personal story of following Michael Sullivan on stage—and what that taught him about catastrophising on both sides of the clinic!
👉 Listen now and reflect on: What’s one change you could make to your language this week?
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