Fear is a typical human response to danger. But when your fears are out of proportion to the situation, they are considered irrational. For example, a rational fear might show up as anxiety on a flight during turbulence.
As mentioned before, anxiety is a breeding ground for irrational thinking. You can be so in your head with concerns that you start to apply that worry to things even if it doesn't make sense to do so. Sometimes those irrational fears are general, but sometimes they are super specific.
What causes irrational thinking? Irrational thoughts are caused by anxiety, excessive reliance on emotions, and cognitive biases. They can also be caused by mental illnesses—psychosis, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, delusions, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Irrationality is cognition, thinking, talking, or acting without rationality. Irrationality often has a negative connotation, as thinking and actions that are less useful or more illogical than other more rational alternatives.
Examples of these types of crazy thoughts include: Having unusual and off kilter thoughts about your health, sanity, self-worth, loved ones, family, friends, co-workers, etc. Having strange thoughts about existential, reality, or spiritual matters. Having offbeat thoughts about sexual matters.
We ALL share 3 core irrational beliefs that are at the root of our suffering. APPROVAL—I must be approved of by others to be worthy. JUDGMENT—Other people must meet my expectations in order to be worthy. COMFORT—Life must be easy, without discomfort or inconvenience.
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it's irrational, excessive and when it interferes with a person's ability to function in daily life. Anxiety disorders include: Generalised anxiety disorder. Social phobias – fear of social situations.
Most of us are fearful in situations that pose a real threat to our health and safety, and our automatic 'fight or flight' response kicks in; this is perfectly normal. But when the threat is non-existent or exaggerated, our fear can usually be classed as irrational.
According to Forbes Magazine, the number one fear for the average person is that of public speaking. The second fear is death...
Anxiety can both cause weird thoughts and be caused by weird thoughts. Some types of anxiety, including obsessive compulsive disorder, are based on these strange and unexpected thoughts. Chronic anxiety can also alter thinking patterns, as can sleep loss from anxiety related insomnia.
Anyone can experience irrational thoughts, and most of us do from time to time. This is especially true for people who are prone to worrying, overthinking, and stress. Certain mental health conditions, such as those that cause paranoia or obsessive behavior, can cause irrational thoughts as well.
Thought behaviors are extremely common with anxiety, including things like: Negative self-talk (i.e. "I am going to embarrass myself.") Feeling as though you are going crazy. Convincing yourself something is wrong with you.
Panic disorder
Panic attacks are intense, overwhelming and often uncontrollable feelings of anxiety. Physical symptoms can include trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness and sweating. If someone has repeated panic attacks they may have a panic disorder.
Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety. They may also be a short-term problem brought on by biological factors, such as hormone shifts. For example, a woman might experience an uptick in intrusive thoughts after the birth of a child.
Your phobia may develop from factors in your childhood environment. For example you might have parents or guardians who are very worried or anxious. This may affect how you cope with anxiety in later life. You might develop the same specific phobia as a parent or older sibling.
It's possible to overcome irrational thoughts with intention and practice. The change may not happen all at once. It's OK if it takes some time to get the hang of it.
They're usually harmless. But if you obsess about them so much that it interrupts your day-to-day life, this can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).