Skip to content

The Symptoms of Overthinking and How to Stop It

  • by
Symptoms Overthinking

The symptoms of over thinking are many and varied, but they all stem from the same root cause: an excessive focus on internal thoughts and feelings. This can manifest in a number of ways, including:

-Rumination: A tendency to dwell on negative thoughts and experiences, often leading to anxiety and depression.

-Catastrophizing: Exaggerating the potential negative outcomes of a situation.

-Perfectionism: Unreasonably high standards that can never be met, leading to feelings of inadequacy and disappointment.

-Black-and-white thinking: seeing things in terms of absolutes (good vs. bad, success vs. failure). This rigidity can lead to inflexibility and closed-mindedness.

Overestimating the possibility of threat

When someone is worrying excessively about something that poses little or no actual danger, they are said to be overestimating the threat. This can lead to significant anxiety and distress. People who tend to overestimate threat may constantly be on edge, always anticipating the worst. They may avoid certain activities or places out of fear, and their worry can interfere with daily life.

There are a number of different reasons why people might overestimate threat. It may be due to a previous traumatic experience, or it could be related to an underlying mental health condition such as anxiety or paranoia. In some cases, it may simply be a learned behaviour – if someone has grown up in an environment where there is constant fear and worry, they may come to see this as normal.

Overestimating threat can have a serious impact on mental health and well-being. If you find that your worries are impacting your life in a negative way, it’s important to seek help from a professional who can assess the situation and provide guidance on how to manage your fears in a healthy way.

Difficulty in relaxing

It can be difficult for someone who over thinks to relax. They may find themselves constantly worrying about things that could go wrong or things that they should have done differently. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep at night and feeling exhausted during the day.

Muscle tension: Muscle tension is a common symptom of stress and anxiety, both of which can be caused by over thinking. When someone is constantly tense, they may notice that their shoulders feel tight, their neck hurts, or they have a headache.

Stomach problems: Stomach problems are another common symptom of stress and anxiety. Someone who over thinks may find that they have trouble eating or that they get nauseous easily. They may also suffer from constipation or diarrhea.

Irritability: When someone is stressed out, it’s common for them to become more irritable than usual. This means that small things can set them off and that they might snap at people more easily than usual. If you’re feeling irritable all the time, it could be a sign that you’re over thinking things.

Lack of concentration: It’s hard to focus when you’re constantly worrying about everything else going on in your life. Overthinkers often have trouble paying attention in class or at work because their mind is always somewhere else. This can lead to poor grades or performance reviews at work..

Automatic negative thinking or underlying negative thoughts

Automatic negative thinking, also called underlying negative thoughts, are the unhelpful, automatic thoughts that pop into our head without us even realizing it. These thoughts can be about ourselves, others, or the future. They can be based on irrational beliefs or past experiences. And they can keep us from enjoying life in the present moment.

Underlying negative thoughts can cause a lot of problems in our lives. They can lead to anxiety and depression. They can make us more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like substance abuse. And they can prevent us from reaching our full potential in life.

If you find yourself struggling with automatic negative thinking, there are steps you can take to change your thinking patterns and improve your mental health. You might need to see a therapist to help you identify and challenge your negative thought patterns. You might also benefit from medication if your underlying issue is anxiety or depression. But no matter what treatment approach you take, changing your thinking patterns is possible and it can make a big difference in your life!

Feeling anxious

Do you find yourself worrying about things that you can’t control? Do you spend hours ruminating over what could have been or what might happen in the future? If so, you may be suffering from a case of “over thinking.”

Overthinking is when we get stuck in our own heads, obsessing over negative thoughts and scenarios. We might worry about things that haven’t even happened yet, or dwell on past events that we can’t change. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression.

If you’re an over thinker, you might constantly second-guess yourself. You might feel like you’re not good enough or that you’re going to make a mistake. This can lead to indecision and inaction, as well as prevent us from enjoying the present moment.

Overthinking can also cause physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, and stomach problems. It’s important to find ways to relax and let go of these negative thoughts before they take a toll on your health.

Feeling tired or drained

If you find that you’re frequently feeling tired or drained, it may be a sign that you’re spending too much time thinking about things. Try to take some time each day to relax and clear your mind. This can help reduce the amount of fatigue you’re feeling.