Overactive

Are overactive thoughts a form of anxiety? Is this normal for the brain? Is the brain wired like this?

[Adamj]

what do you mean by overreactive thoughts

[Hidden in reply to Adamj]

racing thoughts

[Adamj in reply to Hidden]

I’d say racing thoughts go with anxiety and pretty normal with anxiety

[Hidden in reply to Adamj]

thanks

[Shenow]

Yes they are. Try a bit of meditation and mindfulness even if it’s just a few minutes. And breathe slow deep breathes.

[Babe1213]

I assume when you say 'overactive thoughts' you may mean thoughts that suddenly come into mind for no apparent reason - this and anxiety are both perfectly normal, they may be unpleasant at the time, but normal. Anxiety is caused mainly by the release of fight or flight hormones (adrenalin and noradrenalin). Once the hormone has done its job, there may be some residue to get rid of, this I believe is what makes us feel anxious. Do something positive to take your mind off the 'overactive thought.' If you think it may be related to an event earlier in life, explore it and see if you need to talk about it, accept it had happened then lay it to rest. If you think of the brain a 'the' most excellent computer ever created, you may understand it more than you do now. In our lifetimes the brain takes us on a journey of discovery, it is constantly sending messages to every part of our bodies, and just like man made computers it sometimes goes awry. This too is a normal human reaction. Meditation is good, so too is learning how to breathe 'properly.' When your thoughts go into over-drive, relax, and focus on something else, every negative thought can be swapped for a positive thought, YOU CAN DO THAT! When you feel anxious take yourself to a place of safety, sit yourself down and breathe deeply, in through your nose - until you feel the breath reaching your tummy - when you know your body, you will know when this is - hold that breath to the count of 5 - 10, then out through your mouth 'gently.' Concentrate on your breathing and not on the thoughts. Someone here has mentioned meditation and mindfulness, both are good. One thing I would urge you not to contemplate is the thought that anxiety is a mental illness - it is NOT it is merely a human reaction to stress. We all have stress, we all cope in different ways. BUT Anxiety can lead to mental illness, but only if we let it!

[Hidden in reply to Babe1213]

awesome story here, anxiety being a mental illness should in fact be carefully considered being a disease. The psychological responses take over which causes panic.

[Cat33 in reply to Babe1213]

Wow your reply is amazing x

[Cat33]

Yes they are Do you get lots of "what if" thoughts ?

I did a Mindfulness course and it helped me so much I can also recommend Ruby Wax's book A Mindfulness Guide for Survival It's like a work book which you can write in

All the very best x

[Hidden in reply to Cat33]

yeah, what if thoughts arrive too

[Cat33 in reply to Hidden]

Let them come don't fight them remember they are only thoughts and can't hurt you

Dr Claire Weekes have you ever read her books ? She talks about thoughts

All the best xx

[Hidden in reply to Cat33]

never heard of her

[Cat33 in reply to Hidden]

Please find her she is amazing and her books or You Tube videos will help you so much x

[Babe1213]

To: All who have responded to the first post: The problem with doing a mindfulness course (not that I am knocking that) but when you go through these episodes of stress/anxiety you actually want immediate help - so whilst the course is helpful over time you continue to suffer, this is why I advocate an immediate help system, which is to immediately take control for yourself - as I have already said. Meditate, breathe, make your senses work, touch, smell, see, taste, speak, listen. Hold and/or caress a piece of clothing or childhood teddy or something personal, that is special to you - smell the coffee or flowers you may like, taste maybe an apple, small piece of chocolate something you like to eat. Read a piece of poetry or the words to a song, or even birthday card greeting. Speak to someone you trust. Recite a poem, sing a song (I do this, I have the world's worst voice, but there's only me here to listen to me. Listen to a piece of music you like. Use the tools you have around you. The other sound way I have found to help is prayer! I am a Christian Lay Minister, who has a very deep faith. At the very first sign of distress I pray!

I don't know how any of you feel about God or religion. That is for you to decide, your choice. But I do know that God loves each one of us - even non-believers, and He always answers prayers not according to what we ask for, but always to fulfil our needs. For even the most stubborn of non-believers, there is no harm in trying. Just say, 'Please Lord, help me! No need to go into detail, He already knows how you are suffering. Continue supporting each other. I believe that God allows us to suffer so that we can gain experience and reach out to help each other.

[Hidden in reply to Babe1213]

😊yes, God's conscious is a lesson for us to grow stronger together, especially in suffering. We need connection and harmony more than ever.

[Cat33]

Have you ever used the Michael Sealey relaxation/meditation videos on You Tube ? He has loads and one for Detachment and Over Thinking It might help you x