[Trace14]

What are your opinions on overthinking?

[reb569]

I over think everything. It's a huge issue for me.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by reb569

I over think everything. It's a huge issue for me.

Me too, but is it a bad thing?

[reb569]

Originally Posted by Trace14

Me too, but is it a bad thing?

For me I think it's bad because I when I start overthinking something it takes over everything else. I may be able to move on to other things temporarily, but find myself back on that topic again without realizing it.

Actually, I guess overthinking things is probably the same as (or quite similar to) ruminating. I read an article here on psych central last night about it.

https://psychcentral.com/lib/when-ru...mes-a-problem/

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by reb569

For me I think it's bad because I when I start overthinking something it takes over everything else. I may be able to move on to other things temporarily, but find myself back on that topic again without realizing it.

Actually, I guess overthinking things is probably the same as (or quite similar to) ruminating. I read an article here on psych central last night about it.

https://psychcentral.com/lib/when-ru...mes-a-problem/

It does sound like ruminating and overthinking are basically the same things. But my overthinking is often associated with figuring things out, not necessarily in a negative way. Like CPTSD, what are the symptoms, how can I work on that myself, etc. I like to fix things so I want to know how they operate so I can troubleshoot and repair. Being an investigator of sorts.
I have no doubt that worrying is a bad thing and causes many bad things to happen to the body. Several friends that passed away from cancer were very stressed out all the time, always worrying about something, I feel sure that had something to do with the cancer.
I've been more stressed out lately but I think that's because I stopped taking the Welbutrin and Lexapro. I think I may have to start taking them again

[SoupDragon]

Overthinking is not good for me. I find it exhausting and it never helps me with problem solving.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

Overthinking is not good for me. I find it exhausting and it never helps me with problem solving.

What's your tactic for stopping it? I feel therapy is making it worse because there's so much to think about when doing the homework.

[Teddy Bear]

I used to overthink but now I'm more of a zombie on meds. I don't miss overthinking

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Teddy Bear

I used to overthink but now I'm more of a zombie on meds. I don't miss overthinking

Haven't thought about medications addressing overthinking. Hmmmm...thanks for bringing that up as an option. Glad this is working out for you and sharing this.

[reb569]

Originally Posted by Trace14

It does sound like ruminating and overthinking are basically the same things. But my overthinking is often associated with figuring things out, not necessarily in a negative way. Like CPTSD, what are the symptoms, how can I work on that myself, etc. I like to fix things so I want to know how they operate so I can troubleshoot and repair. Being an investigator of sorts.
I have no doubt that worrying is a bad thing and causes many bad things to happen to the body. Several friends that passed away from cancer were very stressed out all the time, always worrying about something, I feel sure that had something to do with the cancer.
I've been more stressed out lately but I think that's because I stopped taking the Welbutrin and Lexapro. I think I may have to start taking them again

My overthinking is often related to trying to figure stuff out too. I can be simple stuff like what am I going to cook for supper, or what store should I go to. What project should I work on first. On and on.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by reb569

My overthinking is often related to trying to figure stuff out too. I can be simple stuff like what am I going to cook for supper, or what store should I go to. What project should I work on first. On and on.

To me there's a difference between ruminating and overthinking. Ruminating , for me, would be worry, catastrophic thinking, negative emotions. Over thinking is trying to figure out normal everyday stuff, but from different angles. Making a plan to get CPT homework done and some of the other things. Kind of hard to explain so this probably doesn't make sense.

[reb569]

Originally Posted by Trace14

To me there's a difference between ruminating and overthinking. Ruminating , for me, would be worry, catastrophic thinking, negative emotions. Over thinking is trying to figure out normal everyday stuff, but from different angles. Making a plan to get CPT homework done and some of the other things. Kind of hard to explain so this probably doesn't make sense.

No I agree with you. I do both. But they are similar in a lot of ways.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by reb569

No I agree with you. I do both. But they are similar in a lot of ways.

Yes they are very close and I guess it depends on who it is and what they are doing But at least now I don't feel so bad using the overthinking term. Because I think sometimes it's okay.

[SoupDragon]

Originally Posted by Trace14

What's your tactic for stopping it? I feel therapy is making it worse because there's so much to think about when doing the homework.

When it's really bad, I put on some music and make myself listen to every word. If I get caught back in my thoughts and miss some of the song, I put it back to the beginning and start again. I also try to visualise the story of the song in my head.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

When it's really bad, I put on some music and make myself listen to every word. If I get caught back in my thoughts and miss some of the song, I put it back to the beginning and start again. I also try to visualise the story of the song in my head.

Therapy in general stimulates the overthinking for me, but maybe it's suppose to. Good idea about the music while doing the homework though.