Is catastrophizing a common cognitive pattern in ADHD adults?

Catastrophizing is something I hear about often from adults with ADHD, and it can sit at the overlap between ADHD and anxiety rather than being one or the other. In ADHD, the brain tends to jump quickly between thoughts and possibilities. That speed can make it easier for the mind to leap from a small problem to a big outcome without pausing in between. Emotional regulation can also be harder, so once a worry is triggered, it can feel intense and urgent very quickly. That intensity can make worst-case scenarios feel more real and more convincing than they actually are. Anxiety adds another layer. Anxiety is focused on threat and uncertainty, so it naturally pulls the mind toward “what if” thinking. When ADHD and anxiety coexist, which is very common, the fast, associative thinking of ADHD can feed the threat-based thinking of anxiety. The result is a rapid spiral from something minor to a full-blown disaster scenario. It’s also worth noting that many adults with ADHD have a history of things going wrong despite good intentions. Missed deadlines, forgotten details, or past consequences can train the brain to expect the worst as a way of trying to stay safe. Over time, catastrophizing can become a protective habit rather than a logical one. Clinically, I pay attention to when and how this shows up. Is it constant or only under stress? Does it improve when attention and emotional regulation improve? That helps clarify what’s driving it and how to treat it. The good news is that this pattern is very workable. ADHD treatment can reduce the intensity and speed of spirals, while anxiety-focused strategies help challenge and slow the thoughts themselves. If you recognize this in yourself, it doesn’t mean you’re dramatic or broken. It means your brain is trying, sometimes too hard, to protect you.