{"id":120278,"date":"2020-09-01T11:00:25","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T10:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=120278"},"modified":"2023-03-07T20:19:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T20:19:03","slug":"stop-overthinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/stop-overthinking.htm","title":{"rendered":"Overthinking – Why You Do It and How to Stop"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"overthinking\"<\/a>

By: Peter Slavik<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

by Andrea M. Darcy<\/span><\/p>\n

Overthinking is exhausting and can mean you<\/strong> both sabotage good things<\/a> or avoid making any decisions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Research from Harvard medical school<\/a> even links excessive activity in the brain to a shorter life span, <\/strong>which could be be connected to overthinking, our behaviours, or both.<\/p>\n

Why do I overthink everything?<\/h2>\n

Yes, some of us are born with a stronger intellect than others<\/strong>, and are more likely to be thinkers over doers. Nothing problematic about that.<\/p>\n

But when our thinking comes with an emotional charge, <\/strong>it’s more than genetics. This looks like thinking that leaves you edgy, moody, or fearful.<\/p>\n

So what else might be driving your busy mind and how can you stop overthinking<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Stress.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Stress leads to overthinking because our mind is frantically seeking a solution.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, stress is based on real problems, <\/strong>which means there are real solutions. Eventually, the problem sorts itself out, for better or worse, and the overthinking stops.<\/p>\n

But what if it doesn\u2019t? Your stress might have triggered anxiety.<\/em><\/p>\n

Anxiety.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Anxiety is the leading cause of overthinking, with the NHS reporting<\/a><\/span>\u00a0that one in five adults in the UK qualifies as having generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s different than stress as it often doesn\u2019t have a<\/strong> logical cause. Or it begins with what seems logic, and takes you into progressively less logic directions. And the more you think, the more one feeling grows — fear<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But why would you be prone to anxiety<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

What causes anxiety?<\/h2>\n
\"overthinking\"<\/a>

By: Shelby Steward<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

There can be a genetic predisposition to being more anxious than others.<\/p>\n

But for that predisposition to become a problem, environments come into play<\/strong>. And this means the experiences we lived through as children.<\/p>\n

Poor parenting.<\/span><\/h3>\n

As infants and young children it\u2019s essential that we have at least one<\/strong> caregiver who provides unconditional love and safety.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, we develop<\/strong> coping mechanisms<\/a> that mean we grow up into adults who have \u2018anxious attachment<\/a>\u2019. We are constantly scanning others and\u00a0 trying to be what people around us want<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trauma and ACEs<\/span><\/h3>\n

For many of us, our brain is set to anxious because of<\/strong> adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)<\/a> and childhood trauma<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ACEs include things like an<\/strong> unwell parent, being neglected, or a home with violence. As a child we learn to always be scanning for danger,<\/a> and it can become a lifelong habit if we don’t seek help.<\/p>\n

Those who experienced ongoing traumatic experiences<\/strong> can also end up with \u2018complex PTSD<\/a>\u2019. This means you live with constant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as edginess and mood swings.<\/p>\n

Child sexual abuse<\/a> often also leads to borderline personality disorder<\/a>, which causes incessant overthinking about what others think about you and if they will<\/strong> abandon you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to stop overthinking<\/h2>\n

If your overthinking is because of stress, it can very much be about gaining the<\/strong> courage to be honest about what is stressing you and then\u00a0 reaching out for help<\/a>. Friends or colleagues can help you see new perspectives<\/a> and find solutions you missed.<\/p>\n

Or professional support, like<\/strong>\u00a0working with a coach,<\/a> can help you take clear steps forward<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anxiety, on the other hand, doesn\u2019t have an<\/strong> instant solution. But it can be managed and become far less of a problem using the following tools (which also help stress).<\/p>\n

1. Mindfulness.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mindfulness is now a mainstream tool quite simply because it<\/strong> works. It helps you recognise that thoughts are just thoughts, often based on a past you can\u2019t change and a future you can\u2019t control. With practise, you learn to not attach relevance to your thoughts, and develop a much quieter mind, meaning you are more able to enjoy what is right in front of you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Use our free and easy Guide to Mindfulness<\/a> to get started.<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Journalling tools.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"\"

By: Quote Catalog<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Many people find that the process of moving thoughts<\/strong> from the mind to the page works as a sort of release.<\/p>\n

You can up the power of journalling by using<\/strong> focused questions<\/a>. Ask \u2018what\u2019 and \u2018how\u2019 questions of the thoughts that you keep having (why questions are to be avoided, they just create rabbit holes).<\/p>\n