How common is this symptom? In several online polls we conducted, 98% of anxious people experience this symptom. As you can see, repetitive, obsessive anxious thinking is extremely common for those who struggle with anxiety issues.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts ("obsessions") and/or behaviors ("compulsions") that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.
While both mental health conditions involve repetitive worrying, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often engage in unwanted and repetitive behavior in response to their worry. People with anxiety, however, tend to overthink their worry, but don't act in specific responsive manners.
Rumination is one of the co-occurring symptoms found both in anxiety disorders and depression. It is often a primary symptom in Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. When people are depressed, the themes of rumination are typically about being inadequate or worthless.
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental health condition that causes people to have intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. One of the most common symptoms of OCD is repeating words or phrases. This can be extremely distressing and can interfere with daily life.
For some people, ruminating thoughts are a way to control anxiety. It may mean you're replaying life events in an attempt to make sure that next time, you're prepared and won't feel as anxious. Repeating entire conversations in your head is a type of rumination. It's how your mind attempts to self-soothe.
But when the anxiety is persistent, will not go away and involves recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns the individual may suffer from an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder can be caused by multiple factors, such as genetics, environmental stressors and medical conditions.
Some examples of “anxious” thoughts: “What if I can't do it?” I'm going to die of a heart attack.” “People are going to laugh at me if I mess up during the presentation.”
If you have anxiety, medication can help because the medicines used for anxiety alter the chemicals in your body and brain, reducing symptoms, and often helping you calm down and focus on other things.
Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to structural degeneration and decreased functionality of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.
Some people feel that self-talk creates a “presence” around them that makes them feel better. This can help with loneliness. But in some cases, when people talk to themselves in an erratic or muttering way, it could indicate a mental health disorder.
Common Repeating in OCD
Repeating may be done to assuage a fear. Someone may repeat something they were saying to the themselves over and over because they were are worried it didn't come out correctly. They may repeat themselves to a person they were speaking to, worried that they did not understand.
Both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and when necessary medications, like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), have been shown to be effective in reducing or eliminating rumination. Different from emotional processing, rumination is your brain getting stuck with the constant repetition of anxious thoughts.
Therapies for conditions like O.C.D., anxiety and certain types of depression — which can include cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, light therapy or writing out your feelings — are all useful in reducing rumination, he said.
EH: Can a brain scan actually diagnose anxiety? AY: Not really. Unlike, say, a broken thumb, which an X-ray can show, anxiety is not a “broken” part of the brain that shows up on a scan. I say “not really” only because sometimes a person may come to the emergency room or doctor's office with anxiety or agitation.
A little anxiety is fine, but long-term anxiety may cause more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure (hypertension). You may also be more likely to develop infections. If you're feeling anxious all the time, or it's affecting your day-to-day life, you may have an anxiety disorder or a panic disorder.
But researchers don't know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role: Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.
It's worth talking to a doctor if you can't bring yourself to leave the house because you fear something bad might happen. If you worry so much that you find yourself with physical sensations, like shaking or hot flashes, a doctor, and perhaps anxiety medication, can help.