Do you ever think too much

At the moment, I am stuck in a cycle of worrying about a family situation that has gotten really out of hand.

Yesterday, I was basically obsessing about something else, all day long.

And the day before that.

So, yes.

I too tend to have an overload of thoughts in my mind. Especially in the morning when I wake. The amount of negative vibes and thoughts that intrude in my head can make or break my days. After 7 years on and off in therapy, things have improved but I do find I need to stay away from overstimulation people and news. The TV and its constant negative waves can trip me into a bad place and so can short-fused people. I guess despite been encouraged to be more outgoing I find been a quiet introvert is best for me in the long term. Mixing and socialising is not always the answer to a problem but can, sad to say, cause them.

All the time. I constantly have to actively visualize sending all the static away - say, down a garbage shute - so that I can focus on the task at hand.

I talk too much.

I suggest you write in a journal right after waking up. Just a page or two - you can get a lot of that sh** out on the page and have a clearer mind for the day.

I do it.

I ruminate when there is an issue that’s bothering me. I know psychology says that’s unhealthy but I disagree. It is self preservation and I figure stuff out! I will admit to getting too neurotic sometimes like in the grocery store. I am trying to please several people with my cooking choices and it can get overwhelming, especially when I’m depressed.

IMHO thinking is too much when it becomes debilitating.

And yes, I ruminate in social situations, too. But over time, and with treatment and CBT techniques, I've been able to tone a lot of that down. It's nowhere near as bad as it used to be.

All the time, I’m an introvert and my Myers Briggs, INTJ.

I’m worried I pissed off my T. I’ve been thinking about it all day to the point I’m thinking of calling her again and explaining. Also I’m waiting for an email and I’m wondering why they aren’t answering me but maybe it’s because it’s a business that closed at 5 or something.

Oh yes, too often, and I know it is useless but...well there you go...let's run it by Again and see if...no...just Once more...

Hey @Resonance18: I used to overthink everything. Through a combo of therapy and getting sober I learned how much energy that took and how much head space I was renting to everyone and everything I encountered. I learned through the years what I crassly call the "F**k its" I mean learning to care for me, and not what other people think about it. I know my own motivations. If people do not like me they can go F**K themselves. If they do not want to engage with me they can F**K off. I am not saying this is said to people its sort of the process I came to after years of self examining and giving weight to people who have no business affecting me in the way they used to. Its very freeing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resonance18 and analyze yourself in social settings? Even when I'm with close friends, I'm analyzing everything in my mind. For example, I think :"did I sound to condescending"? "did I sound stupid"? "Should I have said it"? I wish I could just let go and have fun with people instead of ruing it by over thinking and then regret what I say or do.

Thinking too much has always been one of the biggest things that I have to deal with. It is very hard to shut off the thoughts and worries. Sometimes there are distractions when having to deal with situations, but the negative thoughts are always there. Racing thoughts... a totally different thing that i've found are a big part of my bipolar do get better with meds most of the time. It's so easy to get caught up in one's head and dwell on things...

René Descartes very famously quoted

"I think, therefore I am".

Except what he didn't say is this:

• I think, therefore I am unproductive.
• I think therefore I worry about what others will think.
• I think therefore I over-complicate.
• I think therefore I assume.
• I think therefore I am stressed.

As individuals, we create imaginary roadblocks even before we start tackling the problem. This can be potentially hazardous when making a major life decision like getting married, or buying a house or even deciding the college / career we want to pursue.

My advice is keep it simple and just do whatever you want to do without much thinking. It will always keep you happy my dears.