Staying up late, and thinking about something that happened to you five years ago. Panicking because you can’t find your phone, but it’s in your pocket. Wondering if you turned the oven off, even though you didn’t use it. Meeting someone for the first time and automatically assuming they hate you. Hearing people laugh and thinking you’re the butt of their joke. These are all examples of overthinking.
Overthinking or the scientific/medical term Analysis Paralysis/Paralysis of Analysis, is the inability to respond effectively to a situation due to an over-analytical approach or to an excess of available information. Overthinking is common, everyone has experienced it at least once. It is something that should withdraw from existence, but as long as people think there will be overthinking.
Research says that overthinking is linked to neuroticism. Neuroticism is a long-term tendency to be in a negative emotional state. People with neuroticism tend to have more depressed moods – they suffer from feelings of guilt, envy, anger, and anxiety more frequently and more severely than other individuals. It also leads you to second guessing yourself and creates self-doubt. It can remove happiness from your life and makes life more difficult.
Studies also show that Analysis Paralysis is connected to creativity and being a genius. The main difference between overthinkers and the rest of the population – is imagination. Somewhere between fantasy and the reality of the present moment lies the road to self-preservation and progress. Another article disagrees with this and says that a recent Stanford study suggests that over-thinking not only impedes our ability to perform cognitive tasks, but also keeps us from reaching our creative potential as well.
I hope this educated you more on Analysis Paralysis. Though even after all of this information there’s one thing you should take away, and that’s the fact that overthinking and mental conditions are real. They impact many people, and despite what people say, overthinking is a root that can grow negative effects.
With that being said, the ability to think is beautiful, and yet scary. What can sprout from a single thought should pull on your brain and open your eyes.
The mind is powerful, and that’s why taking care of your mental health is important.
Overthinking happens to many and is the root of some mental conditions. Though thinking a lot isn’t necessarily bad, it becomes a problem when it produces a negative effect on a person. If you want more information on how to stop this vicious cycle click here. Remember that it will not disappear in a day or a week, and even when you’ve improved it will occur without invitation. Know that your thoughts bow down to your mind, and your mind is under your command.
