Why Does My Brain Keep Thinking the Worst?

The brain is naturally designed to detect potential threats. From an evolutionary perspective, noticing what could go wrong can be protective.
However, anxiety can make this protective system become overactive. Instead of assessing a situation calmly, the mind may automatically search for danger and generate possible negative outcomes.
This is sometimes called catastrophic thinking. You may notice thoughts such as “What if something goes wrong?”, “What if I can't cope?” or “What if everyone notices?”
The problem is not that the brain is trying to protect you. The problem is that it may be treating possibilities as though they are probabilities.
Learning to recognise this pattern can reduce its power. Therapy can also help address the underlying beliefs, experiences and emotional responses that cause the brain to remain on high alert.