Clinging To Catastrophe: Using Art As Therapy

by Patrick Penrose Published Nov 13, 2025

“Catastrophic thinking can be defined as ruminating about irrational worst-case outcomes. Needless to say, it can increase anxiety and prevent people from taking action in a situation where the action is required.”- Ron Breazeale Ph.D. (Psychology Today)

“Clinging to Catastrophe,” is a fine art series I created with the intent of self-therapy. I struggle on a daily basis with a form of anxiety called catastrophic thinking and I have decided to use photography to aid in controlling this. To express how personal this series is, I created a body of work comprising of self-portraiture. Through the art-making process, I have discovered more about myself and about my mind and I have gained tools and knowledge along the way to help fight my anxiety. Each image portrays an emotion or side-effect of anxiety and is accompanied by a title that I have written in relation to the given image. Anxiety is a battle best armored with self-reflection, research and Cognitive-behavioral therapy. (“A form of psychotherapy that treats problems and boosts happiness by modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts.” -Psychology Today) It is an additional goal of this project to spread awareness. Kat Kinsman writes in her book, Hi, Anxiety, “We are legion, we anxious people…we could make noise…but we don’t. We suffer in silence. We hunker and hide in fear of being judged imperfect, unlovable, high

maintenance, and insane. We do not speak of it. And it’s killing us by the numbers.” I would like to use my artwork as a voice, to inform and to enlighten in regards to those who suffer in silence. Around twenty-five million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, according to the

American Psychiatric Association (APA). If this series touches one of them, it is a success.

More info: dnotarephoto.com | adaa.org