What is the likely result of being "run down or depleted" in regards to catastrophic thinking?

Being "run down or depleted" leads to increased susceptibility to negative thoughts, which is a key aspect of catastrophic thinking. When individuals are fatigued or emotionally drained, their cognitive resources are diminished. This reduction in mental energy often causes a person to focus more on potential problems and negative outcomes rather than solutions. In this state, the mind can easily spiral into overestimating threats or dangers and underestimating their own ability to cope with stressors, which is characteristic of catastrophic thinking.

Higher levels of stress or exhaustion can cloud judgment and limit clarity, preventing effective decision-making and reducing resilience to challenges. This makes it difficult for individuals to maintain a balanced perspective, as their default mode shifts towards viewing situations in a negative light. As a result, being depleted not only reduces the ability to effectively manage stress but also increases the likelihood of nurturing negative thoughts and exaggerated fears about circumstances that may arise.