help me stop thinking

cliona8969

i'm a serious overthinker in the last couple of months. it's gotten to the stage where i can't enjoy things without my mind wandering. i don't want to come across as a lunatic but it's as if i have some hangups and i don't know why. i put it down to insecurity perhaps but is it normal to be like this?
what causes people to think constantly. the thoughts are nearly always the same subject constantly and i try to convince myself of things. i think i have anxiety which could be causing it but i can't seem to stop the thoughts. it's gotten to the stage where i write them in my diary just to get them out of my head. i find if i don't write them down or think them through then they keep messing up my head and i think about them every few seconds arrgh!
so how do i get my brain to relax on the subject and be confident and trust my mind. i'm constantly changing my mind and doubting myself. perhaps its an element of OCD i just dont know as i have nevr been this way before

outdoor_miner

I have had similar issues. Mine are female related can't sleep at night because the mind races and whatnot. Honestly, I found coming on here and ranting actually helped. Can you break down what is causing you anxiety into seperate issues and vent them out here, on appropriate boards? It may seem simple, but just getting it out there and getting some perspective can help.

Best of luck.

Azureus

I know somebody the same as you and its actually quite debilitating if you allow it to be. My advice would be to keep as busy as possible-dont allow your brain time or space to overthink. Getting it out there as the above advice suggests is a great way to help aswell-a diary is good but on boards and various forums at least you get a response to your thoughts so it may be more beneficial to you.
If all else fails and it really is bothering you, take a trip to your doctor and explain it. It could be hormonal or down to anxiety issues that you need to address.
Good luck

G-Money

I'm the same. Constant over-thinker. I can never just accept something without thinking it over from every angle, over-analysing, you name it. The odd time I go to bed and my brain just won't switch off and it comes to 1am and I'm still wide awake. Although thankfully that doesn't happen too much.

Regardless though, I still think far too much about various things.

Sorry I know this isn't much help from the point of view of giving you tips to combat it yourself, but I just thought it might be good for you to know you're not the only one.

ButterflyABC

G-Money wrote: »

I'm the same. Constant over-thinker. I can never just accept something without thinking it over from every angle, over-analysing, you name it. The odd time I go to bed and my brain just won't switch off and it comes to 1am and I'm still wide awake. Although thankfully that doesn't happen too much.

Regardless though, I still think far too much about various things.

Sorry I know this isn't much help from the point of view of giving you tips to combat it yourself, but I just thought it might be good for you to know you're not the only one.

I'm the very same, over think everything and sometimes find it very hard to sleep. This happens to a lot of people. Might be the most simple thing but it just goes around and around in your head until you have thought about it enough. I had never thought of writing it all down, good idea as it helps to get it out. I definitely find that getting out and going for a walk or a coffee helps a lot.

wylo

Id recommend learning mindfulness meditation and learning about the illusion of your self and ego.
Thinking for the most part is completely pointless, you can actually function perfectly without much thinking at all.

sillo

Talk to your Doctor - it sounds like you could have a mild anxiety disorder. A lot of your post rings true to me.

You can try to exhaust self help options first (you will almost certainly get some relief from meditation or cognitive behavioural techniques), but don't be afraid to talk to your doctor if things feel like they're getting out of control. In this day and age there's no reason to suffer in silence.

01mirelly

I am so happy to see this happening to other people as I for the last couple of months am thinking I am crazy. I also experience moments where I am constantly thinking, over analysing and worrying our stuff. I don't sleep at night because my mind is on over drive. I have fears and worries of where I am going with and in life. I am over thinking if my career path I have long studied for is what I want. I am growing more paranoid about things and what people think of me. Recently I feel outside my circle of friends... As they are moving on and experiencing life such as living away from home, jobs, love, etc those of which I have never had. I am anxious I will never have those things. There is often days in which I wish 5 or 6 years of my future life away. I am in my mid 20's. I know it's not healthy to think this way. Sry for the rant but I suppose it's my writing down that helps also as I fear talking about it with people.

outdoor_miner

For the sleep thing, I have found that taking a supplement called melatonin helps my mind relax so I am able to sleep. Even if it is just a placebo effect, it seems to help, and I don't get a groggy, drugged-up feelIng from it.

G-Money

I know I suffer from anxiety to a certain extent and I went to the doctor here about something else and he prescribed me Xanax for the anxiety. I don't take them very often and he only gave me a 2-3 week supply but I've manged to make them last for about 6 or 7 months at this stage. I only have 2 left so I might head back soon to try and get more.

I find that just having them there helps. I try not to take them unless I really need them and knowing they are there sort of relaxes me.

fluffybiscuits

sillo wrote: »

Talk to your Doctor - it sounds like you could have a mild anxiety disorder. A lot of your post rings true to me.

You can try to exhaust self help options first (you will almost certainly get some relief from meditation or cognitive behavioural techniques), but don't be afraid to talk to your doctor if things feel like they're getting out of control. In this day and age there's no reason to suffer in silence.

Just came across this post. Going to see my health nurse tommorrow, Im the same myself. Would like to hear anyones experiences

sillo

fluffybiscuits wrote: »

Just came across this post. Going to see my health nurse tommorrow, Im the same myself. Would like to hear anyones experiences

I will PM you.

LegacyUser

01mirelly wrote: »

I am so happy to see this happening to other people as I for the last couple of months am thinking I am crazy. I also experience moments where I am constantly thinking, over analysing and worrying our stuff. I don't sleep at night because my mind is on over drive. I have fears and worries of where I am going with and in life. I am over thinking if my career path I have long studied for is what I want. I am growing more paranoid about things and what people think of me. Recently I feel outside my circle of friends... As they are moving on and experiencing life such as living away from home, jobs, love, etc those of which I have never had. I am anxious I will never have those things. There is often days in which I wish 5 or 6 years of my future life away. I am in my mid 20's. I know it's not healthy to think this way. Sry for the rant but I suppose it's my writing down that helps also as I fear talking about it with people.

Hi There,
I also had this problem!Some things that I found helpful are
1.keep a pocket sized notebook and write down worries as they arise.
2.Strenous exercise (this will promote better sleep, gives one a calm feeling post work out)
3. Lavander and camomile in your bedroom at night.
4. Write out a list of life goals, there is a reason for these recurring thoughts. Your mind is trying to figure something out, or overcome an issue/ obstacle. What would you ideally like to acomplish in life? When you write your list, then it will be possible to make small plans to reach some of these goals and start to feel happier in yourself.
Good luck!

cliona8969

sillo wrote: »

I will PM you.

hey can you PM me the same thing please

cliona8969

op here again. i have to say i'm relieved there's others like me. as one poster stated, i felt like i'd gone mad. it's a weird feeling to lose control of your thoughts and have obsessive thinking. thanks for all your advice it's helped me.
i have taken note of all the issues as i said i write them down but now my constant worry is if anybody found them and read them i'd look nuts!! its a vicious cycle.. a cycle that has only lasted me a couple of months so far!!

01mirelly

Chico11 wrote: »

Hi There,
I also had this problem!Some things that I found helpful are
1.keep a pocket sized notebook and write down worries as they arise.
2.Strenous exercise (this will promote better sleep, gives one a calm feeling post work out)
3. Lavander and camomile in your bedroom at night.
4. Write out a list of life goals, there is a reason for these recurring thoughts. Your mind is trying to figure something out, or overcome an issue/ obstacle. What would you ideally like to acomplish in life? When you write your list, then it will be possible to make small plans to reach some of these goals and start to feel happier in yourself.
Good luck!

Thanks... just don't know what my life goals are at the moment.... its like I have hit a blank wall, I am in a limbo situation. I suppose I would like to know my purpose. Waiting for answers from where I don't know. I will try and give your notebook suggestion a try and the exercise.
Thanks

fluffybiscuits

Chico11 wrote: »

Hi There,
I also had this problem!Some things that I found helpful are
1.keep a pocket sized notebook and write down worries as they arise.
2.Strenous exercise (this will promote better sleep, gives one a calm feeling post work out)
3. Lavander and camomile in your bedroom at night.
4. Write out a list of life goals, there is a reason for these recurring thoughts. Your mind is trying to figure something out, or overcome an issue/ obstacle. What would you ideally like to acomplish in life? When you write your list, then it will be possible to make small plans to reach some of these goals and start to feel happier in yourself.
Good luck!

Love exercising. Swimming is a great way of losing the few lbs and getting your mind back into shape. The mental exercise it does is brilliant, must be the endorphins!

@Sillo replied to that, thanks a chara!

Overheal

same advice i gave to a poster just the other week

Overheal wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tao_of_Pooh

“You'd be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are.”


“The main problem with this great obsession for saving time is very simple: you can't save time. You can only spend it. But you can spend it wisely or foolishly.”

I'm lacking good access to the passage I actually read for my English classes but it's a wonderful read - even the few pages that I have done - and will change your attitude about like me, your need for constant stimulation and something to think about. There's a lot to be said for balance in life between stimulation and meditation. In fact most things I noted have an interesting polar opposite: one which is usually integral to appreciation it's counterpart. Silence and Cacophony. Food and Hunger. Yin and Yang - which is of course the symbol that one assocatiates with Taoism. It's an interesting philosophy but in short OP try heading outdoors somewhere comfortable and just sitting down and relaxing. Don't bring the phone or the iPod.

and aside from that, overthinking especially when trying to sleep can generally be resolved with masburbatory or otherwise sexual release. Floods your brain with all sorts of good hormones and neurons that help your brain shut off.

LegacyUser

01mirelly wrote: »

Thanks... just don't know what my life goals are at the moment.... its like I have hit a blank wall, I am in a limbo situation. I suppose I would like to know my purpose. Waiting for answers from where I don't know. I will try and give your notebook suggestion a try and the exercise.
Thanks

Give it a go, even if you don't know "life goals" as such, you could write out things you like or are drawn to. If you were the perfect version of yourself...what would that be? What would you be good at, what would you be doing, where would you live?etc.

For example, I like the idea (!) of being fit. I would ideally like to be a fit person who looks good. I am not very fit but this is something achievable I can work on and gradually improve and look better if i keep at it. So while I have all these worries and anxieties, one thing I can say I did this year was swim "X" or run "X" km race.

If your worried about carrying around the notebook, have a read over what you have written, you will probably find you can throw pages away.

01mirelly

Thanks Chico.... things i think have improved a little... it did cross my mind about the notebook. Just before I read your comment I emailed around local running clubs to see can i get started.... like u said I would like to get fit but no motivation so hoping a club with other people would be best. I am unemployed for the last few months, still living at home (cant move out with out funding i.e. a job) Overall it has been building up since b4 Christmas and now Christmas is over..... I have nothing to think about only depressing situations. Thanks for your help and advice. I think I just need to give myself a kick in the ass!

Snoopy1

Im the same, constantly thinking about everything. Im imagining scenarios all the time, and its always depressing, never happy scenarios.
I go to bed and i lay there thinking and worrying all the time. I can honestly say i only get a couple of hours sleep every night.
I was perscribed zanax and it worked for a week. then i got given sleeping tablets, and again they worked for a week, and wont work now.

I drive myself mad sometimes, and just want to tell my brain to stop!!!!!

wylo

Seriously, meditation is specifically designed to quell your thinking. With all the thoughts running through your brain, most are good for nothing. Literally, they serve no purpose, they don't even help you decide your decisions.

Look into mindfulness meditation, if you have reservations about its relationships to spirituality or anything drop it, because it is a very real practice that trains your brain to stop being smothered by thought.