Is Overthinking Real?

When I was younger, I didn’t notice my intrusive, self-doubting thoughts. It was when I opened my business at the age of 28. The thoughts were always there but suddenly became very prominent. On the way home from work most days, I used to go through everything I did and said. I spent hours wondering what the repercussions would be and if I did or said something wrong that would ultimately affect the business. Oh, and then it didn’t stop there.

In my early thirties, these thoughts just became a way of life. I was constantly doubting myself. My mind would always go through different scenarios before making any decision. I always wondered what I could have done or said differently. I wanted to stop overthinking, but how? Back then, causes of overthinking weren’t well understood, and, hell, I had no idea what was going on with me. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered there is a name for this type of thinking. It is called “overthinking.”

Now with all of the different thoughts, emotions, and subsequent effects of widowhood, I’ve found myself right back in that place of overthinking. So let’s take a look at what are the causes of overthinking.

What is Overthinking?

Do you constantly over analyze every situation, replay conversations, and worry about the future? Do you struggle to make decisions because you’re afraid of making the wrong one? If so, you might be an overthinker like me. Overthinking is a common problem. It affects many people and can significantly impact mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

According to research, (you can read more here at the ClevelandClinic.org) overthinking is classified as a disorder, but it is not a mental illness. Overthinking is characterized by excessive thoughts and worries, often about things out of our control. All of these thoughts and worries can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression. It can even affect our relationships and careers. In today’s fast-paced world, so many things compete for our attention that sometimes it’s natural to get caught up in our thoughts and lose sight of what’s important.

The good news is that today, there are ways to overcome the causes of overthinking and live a more peaceful, fulfilling life. By understanding the causes of overthinking and learning how to manage it, you, too, can regain control of your thoughts and emotions. In this article, I will explore what overthinking is and its causes. So let’s get started!

The Causes of Overthinking 

Overthinking is caused by a variety of factors, which include anxiety, perfectionism, lack of confidence, and past traumas or negative experiences. At first, mine was a combination of stress, perfectionism, and a lack of confidence in my new role as an entrepreneur. Understanding the root cause of your overthinking can help you develop strategies to manage and prevent it from controlling your life. Now let’s explore some causes of Overthinking.

Anxiety and worry are one of the most common causes of overthinking. Believe me, when I say as a new entrepreneur and a new competing business, I had significant anxiety and worry. The one thing I didn’t know is that all of this stress and anxiety would manifest itself in a very physical way.

During this time, I developed panic attacks and subsequently took medication to help control these. I wish I had known then what I know now. When anxious, our thoughts can spiral out of control, leading to excessive worrying and rumination. We may find ourselves obsessing over worst-case scenarios or replaying past events. If you struggle with anxiety, it’s important to seek help to learn strategies to manage it. 

Perfectionism and Low Self Esteem

Another cause is perfectionism. This is because perfectionists often struggle with overthinking because they set impossibly high standards for themselves. Again, this was me….they may worry about making mistakes or not meeting their own expectations, leading to excessive self-criticism and rumination. Accepting imperfection and setting realistic goals can help overcome this type of overthinking. 

If you struggle with low self-esteem or need more confidence, you may be overthinking social situations or second-guessing your decisions because of lack of confidence. I stress and overthink everything until I become confident in any new role. This type of overthinking can be particularly damaging because it can reinforce negative self-talk and lead to a cycle of self-doubt. Building self-confidence through positive self-talk and self-care can help break this cycle. 

Trauma and Negative Experiences Link

Up to this point, we’ve discussed the controllable elements that cause overthinking. There are elements we can not control. These are past traumas and/or negative experiences. If you’ve experienced a traumatic event or a difficult period in your life, you may find yourself constantly replaying the events in your mind, leading to anxiety and depression. Seeking help to process and work through these experiences can help you move forward and prevent overthinking.

The Effects of Overthinking 

As I said earlier, overthinking can significantly impact our mental, emotional, and physical health. Understanding the effects of overthinking can motivate us to take action to manage it. 

Physical symptoms caused by overthinking, includes headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue. Sometimes, everything can affect our sleep, leading to insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. When we overthink, our bodies become stressed. This can have long-term health consequences.

When we overthink things, it can lead to a range of negative emotions. These negative emotions can include anxiety, worry, and fear. When we allow it, overthinking can lead to sadness, hopelessness, and despair. Often we focus on the negative aspects of a situation, which can create a self-perpetuating cycle of negative emotions. 

Overthinking can affect cognitive function, thus making it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. Sometimes, it can also lead to decreased productivity and creativity. When we overthink, our mind is consumed with worry and rumination, which leaves little room for other thoughts or ideas. 

Finally, overthinking can also affect our relationships with others. It can lead to social anxiety or a fear of rejection, making it difficult to connect with others. Quickly and without warning, overthinking can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications. This is because we put too much meaning into understanding the intended statements or questions.

Conclusion of Part 1

In the next article, I’ll discuss the many different types of overthinking which have been identified. I’ll also talk about ways to combat overthinking and take control of your life. I will provide the tools and techniques to start living the life you deserve. See you soon. Thanks for reading –xxooC