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.
Overthinking is not a recognized mental disorder all by itself. However, research has found it's often associated with other mental health conditions, including: Depression. Anxiety disorders.
Do you often find yourself worrying about everyday issues for no obvious reason? Are you always waiting for disaster to strike or excessively worried about things such as health, money, family, work, or school? If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
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.
Someone driven to worry or anxiety through thinking. worrier. worrywart. neurotic. fussbudget.
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.
“If you find that it's difficult to control your worrying or it's hard to concentrate at work or it's hard to fall asleep at night, at that point, I would definitely seek professional help,” advises Duke. One thing you will learn in therapy is how to not get caught up in your worrying, says Duke.
Constant worrying and overthinking can often lead to issues with mental health and well-being. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, self-compassion, and asking for help from a healthcare professional can help alleviate the stress of overthinking.
Stressors and past trauma can often trigger patterns of overthinking as well. When these thought cycles start spiraling, it is oftentimes hard to break free from and move past them.
Overthinking is also often associated with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and borderline personality disorder. To break the habit, Carroll says a good first step is to take note of what triggers your overthinking.
The act of overthinking can be linked to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression, although it's hard to know which happens first in each individual. It's sort of like a “chicken or egg” type conundrum. Either way, it's apparent that overthinking can cause your mental health to decline.
Often overthinking is a byproduct of anxiety or depression. If this is the case, you can treat your anxiety or depression to reduce overthinking. You may also find that overthinking only materializes when you need to make a tough life decision or are dealing with your insecurities.
In many cases, overthinking is caused by a single emotion: fear. When you focus on all the negative things that might happen, it's easy to become paralyzed. Next time you sense that you starting to spiral in that direction, stop. Visualize all the things that can go right and keep those thoughts present and up front.
Plus, whether you're fixating on the past or catastrophizing about the future, thought patterns that are more destructive than constructive can take a toll on both your mental health and physical health. "Studies show that ruminating on stressful events can, over time, lead to anxiety and depression," warns Dr. Fowler.
Be an observer
Sometimes, trying to stop thinking about something can have the opposite effect. When you're wrapped up in overthinking anxiety, try not to get too frustrated. Concentrate on shifting your focus from thinker to observer. Listen to the sound of your breath.
The two types of overthinking are rumination (which involves rehashing past events) and worrying (or hyperfocusing on an anxious concern about the future).
The main factors that can lead to overthinking are stress and anxiety, which can be common in the times we're in, says Syslo. So, considering the past two years, it's likely you've found yourself overthinking at some point. "Anxiety is typically a response to fear — a fear of what might come,” says Syslo.
Kills your creativity
Overthinking can stifle creativity. According to Psychology Today: "Previous research from Stanford University found that 'overthinking' as marked by too much activity in the prefrontal cortex reduced creative capacity."