Overthinking

[Imaginator997]

I struggle with overthinking, obtrusive thoughts. I always look for the negative and then start thinking about things to make me anxious. I am in therapy but it can be really hard to remember my coping skills, and I feel that I am just bringing people down.

[Hidden]

I know exactly what you mean, i have generalized anxiety, overthinking and overanalyzing is what i do. You're in therapy so it will definitely get better and i use to forget my coping skills and breathing exercises try to practice them everyday it helps

[sweetiepye]

Overthinking leads to negative thoughts. Pam

[Marshall64 in reply to sweetiepye]

That pretty much describes me.

[sweetiepye in reply to Marshall64]

Then you know you can overcome it, right?

[Marshall64 in reply to sweetiepye]

I have a couple of books on the subject including "Feeling Good" that identifies the thoughts and then replaces them. I also try and meditate and calm my mind. I have to admit that my attention span is short for both the books and meditation.

If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

[sweetiepye in reply to Marshall64]

I wish there were an easy answer, but you have to keep slogging away. One day you will realize that you are feeling more hopeful. It is well worth the effort. Pam

[benmaise in reply to Marshall64]

Same here !

[kenster1]

im like that a lot.i told my support worker if I walk slow I feel more depressed in my thoughts but if I walk at pace its like more things race through my head.anxiety plays a big part of it even on long term medication it still happens.

[fauxartist]

write them down and tape them on the wall where you will see them easily, and every time you pass them, read them, until it becomes part of your natural pattern to revert to the coping skills as soon as you feel this coming on....find other things that will help you as well, find youtube videos that have coping skills and put those on your laptop and view them regularly as well.

[Zoea]

mindfulness combined with directed breathing techniques can help you relax for longer.

Try and trust your inner voice train it to be more positive? I think that's a thing people do.

[MsTree]

You and me both. At least we know we do that, therefore, giving us an option not to do it so much. It's an OCD thing. I overthink because I have fears of things that could happen if I don't think of them ahead of time. If I think of them before they happen then I can stop bad things from happening. Then I start to question my overthinking. The overthinking didn't stop anything. It only added to my stress. I'm learning not to do this anymore. I need to read some self-help books and articles on the subject.