Find the word definition

Wiktionary
awfulize

vb. (context psychotherapy English) To react dramatically or catastrophically to distressing events.

Usage examples of "awfulize".

But, if this person begins to self-blame, awfulize, and worry endlessly that the stage fright might get worse or ruin the next performance, these second-order stage fright worries can soon become more of a problem than the mild-to-moderate anxiety feelings while performing.

The tennis player does better when he/she gives up self-criticism and awfulizing (Gallwey, 1974).

A related process is awfulizing or catastrophizing: "I'll bet my boy/girlfriend is out with someone else.