The Overthinking Cure
The key to a happy life is your internal dialogue. Remain your own master. – The Overthinking Cure is a book that understands where you’ve been through,the exhausting situation you’ve put yourself into, and how you lose your mind in the trap of anxiety and stress.
Contents
Is the overthinking cure a good book?
Who doesn’t struggle with overthinking and being present? This book is excellent and includes so much practical insight and application. It worth reading!
What is the disorder of overthinking?
Is overthinking a mental illness? – No, overthinking isn’t a recognized mental health condition, but it can be a symptom of depression or anxiety. Overthinking is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), says Duke. GAD is characterized by the tendency to worry excessively about several things.
Worrying excessively about several things for at least six months. Difficulty controlling anxiety, which can interfere with the ability to function.
Physical symptoms of GAD can include restlessness, difficulty concentrating and sleep problems,
Do overthinkers live longer?
A flat tire waylays your carefully-timed departure for a family road trip. Your laptop swallows hours of work with the deadline right around the corner. An innocent mistake in your math causes your bank account balance to dip down into negative numbers.
- Everyday glitches like these are impossible to avoid: We all have bad days and we all have very, very bad days.
- Sometimes we have entire weeks or months that are truly awful.
- But most of the time, the impact on our daily life is temporary.
- The tire gets fixed, the work shows up miraculously when we restart the computer, we’re able to transfer enough from savings to avoid an overdraft fee and all is well.
However, life’s curveballs can have a significant effect on long-term health and well-being, depending on how we deal with them. How you react today can predict your chronic health conditions 10 years into the future. Research shows that overreacting, constantly worrying, and living in a state of perpetual anxiety can reduce life expectancy.
Do overthinkers live less?
Overthinking can shorten your life, according to a new study > Science It’s a curse that many of us can’t seem to break, but, it turns out that overthinking is actually really bad for your health. A conducted at Harvard Medical School found that excessive brain activity could lead to a shorter life. Researchers used a sample of people ranging in age from 60s and 70s and compared their brains to those who lived to be 100 years or older. The results showed study that those who died at younger ages had significantly lower levels of a protein called REST (RE-1 Silencing Transcription), which quietens brain activity. In short, excessive thinking causes excessive brain activity, leading to a depletion in the protein REST. REST itself has also been studied and results determined that it can protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Cynthia Kenyon, vice president of ageing research at Calico Labs spoke to where she who commended the study’s findings, saying, “I think this is overactivity, out-of-control excitation – it’s not good for the brain,” she told the Post. “You want the neurons to be active, when and where you want them to be active, not to be just generally firing off.” So there’s something extra to think about while you’re replaying arguments from five years ago in your head tonight. : Overthinking can shorten your life, according to a new study
Is overthinking part of ADHD?
Adult ADHD: Overthinking and Intrusive Thoughts Social media provides a wealth of information about mental health conditions, including symptoms, treatment options, and personal stories of those who have experienced them. However, it can also lead to potential misinterpretation of symptoms.
- Take, for example, ADHD.
- While most people associate ADHD with hyperactivity and impulsivity, it can also manifest in more subtle ways, such as through intrusive thoughts and overthinking.
- Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and repetitive thoughts that can be distressing or disturbing.
- They can take many forms, such as worries, doubts, or even violent or taboo images.
These symptoms are often associated with mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. For individuals with ADHD, these thoughts can be particularly persistent and disruptive if left untreated or misdiagnosed.
Is overthinking a trauma response?
Anahita Anais | Integrative Mental Health Follow 1 min read May 21, 2021 – Hyper-Rationality is a trauma response and coping strategy. Overthinking, over-analyzing, and over-rationalizing are coping strategies that we learned early on to help us make sense of an unpredictable environment that at some point made us feel unsafe.
What type of person overthinks?
Mental Health Support – Overthinking is a common trait in people with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you’re struggling with a mental health disorder or suspect that you may have one, our Massachusetts treatment center can help.
- We offer residential mental health care to help treat disorders like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more.
- From diagnosing services to individual and group therapy sessions with our counselors, our patients will have the resources they need to learn how to manage their symptoms.
- For more information about our Massachusetts drug rehab programs and mental health services, contact Clearbrook Treatment Centers today at 570-536-9621,
Related Reading: Cannabis-Induced Anxiety What to Do When My Partner is A Binge Drinker Recommended Posts
Can overthinking be fixed?
Distract yourself – “Healthy distraction can be helpful,” says Duke. Activities like meditation, reading and taking a walk can help keep your stress levels down. “It’s best to be proactive and build these activities into your routine,” says Duke. “They can reduce your baseline level of anxiety and make you less likely to overthink.” But if you’re already too stressed and struggling to find relief from healthy distraction, it can then be helpful to share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust.
Is overthinking a toxic habit?
3. Negative self-talk – Negative self-talk is a habit that can be toxic to your self-esteem and confidence. It can cause you to doubt yourself, feel anxious, and prevent you from taking risks. To break this habit, start by becoming aware of your thoughts and replacing negative ones with positive affirmations,
What is the best medicine for overthinking?
Chronic Worrying/Overthinking Of all the difficulties that I plan on writing about in this blog, this may be the most common. Thinking is what humans do. It’s who we are. But sometimes, it gets the better of us. The official name for this is Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
On a very fundamental level, we think because figuring things out improves our lives and our chances of survival. So natural selection has taken this to its pinnacle: homo sapiens, “humans, the thinkers.” Sometimes though, I think we should be called homo anxietudo As you can probably tell by now, I like to think about psychological problems in terms of why nature would build a system like this in the first place.
Here, I think what happened was we have an anxiety system built for “situational anxiety,” (see my previous post). What nature did not anticipate, however, was imagination or what psychotherapists call “fantasy.” All animals except for humans live in the here and now, and their minds are almost exclusively focused on what is really in front of them.
- If they come upon a situation that is reminiscent of another situation that caused a problem, they will experience anxiety and avoid that situation.
- Unique in the world is the human ability to imagine things that are not happening.
- These imaginations can come along with entire scenarios, essentially an entire movie in our heads.
This is very useful, if we are making an accurate prediction of something that is at least somewhat likely to happen. We can therefore do better than other animals at protecting ourselves from situations, because we can take steps to avoid things that are not yet happening.
- Some people though seem to have been born with higher levels of anxiety.
- Some have had lives filled with trouble which has left them programmed to expect trouble, even if they are no longer in the troubled environment in which they grew up.
- Sometimes, there is indeed a real situation, but in an attempt to think it through, we start to fantasize about things that could happen, but aren’t at all likely to happen.
We may become focused on catastrophes and worst-case scenarios. The next step is what really causes trouble. We react with full emotion to our fantasies; with the same level of feelings as if the situation was real. Think about how we react to movies. We know they are not real, yet we find ourselves biting our nails, sitting on the edges of our seats, crying, or cheering.
As problems solvers, we try to think of solutions for these imaginary scenarios. Thinking about it though, often only creates more anxiety, not solutions. This then drives more anxious fantasies which make us more anxious, setting in motion a vicious cycle that can go on for days, or longer; maybe a lifetime.
Sadly, ironically, most of the things that we worry about never come to pass. And the things that do happen, are often not the ones we worried about in the first place. “No battle plan survives engagement with the enemy.” Or, in a quote often misattributed to Mark Twain, “I have lived a terrible life most of which has never happened.” So what can be done? There is a kind of psychotherapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.
It specifically asks people to pay attention to what they are thinking and what they are saying to themselves. It then helps them examine these thoughts, look for any evidence that they are accurate or inaccurate, and learn to recognize the kinds of characteristic “cognitive errors” that they make. They are then helped to come up with alternative narratives to say to themselves that are not merely “happy talk”, but legitimately better ways to think about it.
Mindfulness is another important approach. This is an idea that is expressed in sayings like “don’t forget to smell the roses” and also in Eastern philosophy, yoga, and meditation. The basic idea is to refocus your thoughts away from worrying about the future or regretting the past and to focus on the here and now.
- Think only about what you are doing right now.
- If you are not doing anything, focus on your surroundings.
- Yoga breathing is a related technique.
- Here you take deep breaths that start in your belly and work their way up to the tip of your shoulders.
- While you are doing this, you try to think only of the breath.
You cannot order your mind to be blank, but you can focus on something simple and repetitive like breathing. Meditation is essentially doing this for longer periods of time, but often just ten slow, deep breaths will do a lot to calm anxiety. In addition, medications originally designed for depression, the SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta, and others), are also capable of lowering the underlying level of anxiety which takes a lot of steam out of this phenomenon.
- These medications are preventative, but they must be taken every day in order to be effective.
- As with any medication, they can have side effects which are fortunately mild and infrequent, but include things like drowsiness, headaches, stomach upset and sexual dysfunction.
- The medications that seem to be most often prescribed, are also in my opinion, the most problematic.
The benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium) are all addictive. If you give an addictive drug to a person with a chronic condition, it does not take a rocket scientist to predict that this will end in tolerance to the medication’s effects, and addiction.
- Furthermore, unless you want to be constantly under the influence of these drugs, which share many characteristics with alcohol, you’ll only take them after you’ve already become anxious.
- That is why we generally prefer the SSRIs, because they are preventative.
- Clearly there is a role for “as needed,” nonaddictive alternatives to these medications, and there are some, including hydroxyzine, Neurontin, BuSpar, and extremely low doses of “antipsychotics.” The effectiveness of these is variable, but if they work, you have a sustainable, nonaddictive solution.
While we may never completely free ourselves from worry, we can certainly do a lot to control it. : Chronic Worrying/Overthinking
Why can I stop overthinking?
Get Therapy – If you can’t break free from overthinking, consider getting professional help. Overthinking may be a symptom of a mental health issue, like depression or anxiety. On the flip side, it may also increase your susceptibility to developing mental health problems.
- A mental health professional may teach you skills that will help you stop obsessing, ruminating, and dwelling on things that aren’t helpful.
- They may also help you identify coping strategies that work for you, such as mindfulness or physical exercise.
- If you feel like your brain is on overdrive, talk to your physician.
Your doctor may be able to refer you to a therapist who can help you put an end to overthinking.
What is the root of overthinking?
How to stop overthinking? – Try the below techniques to stop overthinking: A lot of us think that ignoring thoughts is the way to go. But that is probably the last method you want to try. Ignoring means, you are using lots of energy to keep negative thoughts away.
So basically, those thoughts are on your mind either way. Acknowledging your negative thoughts and then working on them to process them is more effective. Thought Reframing In this technique, allow yourself to notice the negatives of a situation and then see it from a different perspective. Is there another way to view the problem/situation? Example- You are tired of being in your teaching role.
You have lots of student work corrections, exam deadlines, and responsibilities. You are feeling exhausted mentally and physically. You have begun to hate your job. Now how about we twist some words and see how this sounds to us? Reframed thought- There are challenging things for you at the moment, and you are not comfortable with them.
You begin to wonder if there can be some ways to delegate tasks or alter expectations from the situation. Reframing words help you take a step back, observe and see if there is a different way to look at it. You can notice a quick change in your feelings by having this shift in thoughts. You will also notice a change in your behavior eventually.
Meditation and mindfulness Meditation and being mindful have been shown to enhance complete psychological well-being. It improves memory, concentration, and emotional regulation, and reduces stress. Being mindful is simply about being present in the moment.
Being mindful allows you to acknowledge your thoughts are there, and you choose not to accept them and pay attention to something that pleases you. Also, practice makes you perfect, so making a habit of doing mindfulness meditation will improve how you handle your overthinking. How to live in the present moment, you ask? Let us walk through the quick steps of living and savoring the present moment.
One way to reduce overthinking is to be more aware of your thoughts throughout the day. Too much thinking can actually distract you from achieving your goals, so it s important to limit it. Try to notice when you start thinking and avoid following through on every thought.
- By simply observing your thoughts without getting carried away, you can train your brain to stay more focused.
- Set aside dedicated times for thinking, such as when journaling or planning your day for about 15 minutes.
- During those times, you can allow yourself to think more deeply and intentionally, but make sure to limit the amount of time you spend thinking.
Finally, try to enjoy the present moment and let go of thoughts about the past or future. No matter what has happened before or what you want to achieve in the future, it s important to appreciate the present moment and feel alive right now. Breathing exercises When you focus on slowing your breath down, you slow your heart, which helps to calm your mind.
- You can now reset your thinking pattern with a calm mind and begin afresh with a healthy thinking style.
- Begin by filling your lungs with air and holding it for several seconds.
- Then slowly exhale the air, and once you get the urge to inhale, take another deep breath.
- Eep repeating this until you are relaxed.
Put it on paper When we are in an anxious state, our emotions are heightened, and it does not allow us to respond with rational decisions. We can get into overthinking very quickly. The key is awareness. You need to focus on what you thought and be aware of them.
- Journaling will help you be aware of your thinking pattern, and once you learn it, you can change it.
- Change the direction of your thought Overthinking is a product of fear, and we soon begin to pay attention to all the negative things that might occur.
- However, once you master to sense you are overthinking, you can stop and continue to think of all the positives.
Spend time thinking about the things that can go right. This may sound like toxic positivity. But in reality, you are simply allowing another extreme to be considered. With this technique, you will find a middle ground to the given situation which a more neutral way of looking at and expecting things.
Distract yourself Channel your energy to something different. Sometimes diverting your focus on pleasant things such as your hobbies can separate you from your negative thinking. Try doing those things which can either relax you or are cognitively stimulating. For example, you can take a soothing bath or clean your cupboard if that is relaxing for you.
Or try some brain games like sudoku to bring yourself out of the emotional and overwhelming state of mind to a more rational and decisive state. Count your blessings Better to be grateful than regretful because the latter will not help you change the past.
Being grateful helps you realize all the good and positive things around you. Overthinking is common, Nevertheless, if you prepare yourself to deal with it, you can convert your negative feelings and thoughts to positive, pleasant ones. Moreover, remember you cannot predict the future, and there is no use in ruminating about the things you do not even know will take place.
Hence, learn to channel your pessimistic thoughts into productive, practical, and right thinking. Too long, didn’t read? Here is a summary of the above article: Overthinking is very common, but not healthy. We all have been there. Overthinking is caused due to various reasons like fear, intolerance to uncertainty, trauma, or perfectionism.
Overthinking can also be a symptom of already existing mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or depression. Three common unhelpful thinking styles are catastrophizing personalization and black-and-white thinking. There are ways available to keep your overthinking to a limit and work to improve it.
Seeking mental health counseling with an online psychologist can help you in overcoming overthinking and making your daily functioning better in working by yourself gets too overwhelming or if it is not helping you. Our Online Therapy and Online Counseling sessions will help you to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.
What hormone causes overthinking?
Mental Health Effects – Overthinking can have a serious impact on our mental health, especially when conditioned by negative self-talk. Research has linked rumination, or the practice of repeatedly thinking about problems, to an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Additionally, overthinking can lead to a downward spiral of negative thinking and low moods. This can cause stress and agitation that further prevents us from finding helpful solutions to problems. In addition to mental health struggles, overthinking can also affect cognitive functioning, making it difficult to focus on tasks or take in new information.
The constant rehashing of worries prevents us from recognizing the evidence needed for problem-solving and making rational decisions. It is not uncommon for individuals who frequently overthink to become overwhelmed by their own thoughts, which can make concentration more difficult as well as interferes with creative problem-solving abilities,
Why my mind is always thinking?
What Causes Overthinking? – While overthinking itself is not a mental illness, it is associated with conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use disorders. Rumination can be common in people who have chronic pain and chronic illness as well, taking the form of negative thoughts about that pain and healing from it.
Sometimes worry and rumination may trick the brain into associating itself with something beneficial or productive, explains Natalie Dattilo, Ph.D, a clinical health psychologist in Boston and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “Take worry, for example, which is a hallmark feature of generalized anxiety disorder,” says Dattilo.
Some people may have the impression that worrying shows that they care about something or prepares them for the worst outcome, so it can easily become a habit—albeit one you can (and should) break.
What age is overthinking?
“Overthinking will not empower you over things that are beyond your control. So, let it be if it is meant to be and cherish the moment.” Wise words from guru Mahsati A: great to trust the moment and allow life to unfold around you. But, if you’re an overthinker, then letting go and letting be can feel like an impossible dream.
- Overthinking is the habit of thinking too much and/or too long about something.
- Overthinking is also known as ‘analysis paralysis’ because by thinking too much you’re getting stuck in your thoughts and stopping yourself from taking action.
- Healthy thinking, which is celebrated on World Thinking Day, opens minds and celebrates growth and empowerment.
But overthinking tips the balance into stuckness, powerlessness, and a mind that’s closed to positive opportunities. Yet overthinking is happening all around. Research shows that overthinking is prevalent among young (25-35-year-olds) and middle-aged adults (45-55-year- olds).
Are people born Overthinkers?
Thoughts are powerful. Your thoughts become your reality. As Tony says, “Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.” This is something that the world’s most successful people realize – and the only difference between them and everyone else is that they are able to harness the power of thoughts to help them achieve.
- They’ve learned how to stop overthinking and start taking action,
- The good news is that you weren’t born an overthinker.
- Overthinking is the result of one fact of human existence: we all have patterns to our behavior,
- These patterns, good and bad, develop over time based on life experiences.
- And just as patterns are learned, they can also be unlearned.
The key is to answer the question ” Why do I overthink everything ?,” then take decisive action to change your mindset. But that can be easier said than done.
Is overthinking good for anything?
Signs You’re an Overthinker – When you become more aware of your tendency to overthink things, you can take steps to change. But first, you have to recognize that overthinking does more harm than good. Sometimes, people think that their overthinking somehow prevents bad things from happening.
I relive embarrassing moments in my head repeatedly. I have trouble sleeping because it feels like my brain won’t shut off. I ask myself a lot of “what if.” questions. I spend a lot of time thinking about the hidden meaning in things people say or events that happen. I rehash conversations I had with people in my mind and think about all the things I wished I had or hadn’t said. I constantly relive my mistakes. When someone says or acts in a way I don’t like, I keep replaying it in my mind. Sometimes I’m not aware of what’s going on around me because I’m dwelling on things that happened in the past or worrying about things that might happen in the future. I spend a lot of time worrying about things I have no control over. I can’t get my mind off my worries.
Can reading books cure anxiety?
It can reduce stress. – “Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles, A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%.”
Is Overthinking good for the brain?
4. Overthinking will impact the brain – Overthinking changes the structure and connectivity of the brain leading to mood disorders therefore it can lead to such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Moreover, it can decrease your energy to focus and can affect your problem solving and decision making power.
Is there any book on overthinking?
The Book of Overthinking: How to Stop the Cycle of Worry – International Bestselling Author (Gwendoline Smith – Improving Mental Health Series) : Smith, Gwendoline: Amazon.in: Books.