When Over-Thinking Becomes Abnormal

Our last post yesterday discusses ... overthinking can help the person figure out what he should do ... and what action plan and program of measures he will take ... to achieve a specific goal. So when does overthinking become abnormal?

Overthinking becomes destructive when the person is having difficulty turning off the faucet of repetitive thoughts that bugs him to death. He also finds himself sucked in between a rock and a hard place ... making him believe there are just too limited options for him to choose from.  He kept on harping the same old refrain ... wondering about the if's and the buts. The thoughts kept on pouring in ... rendering the person paralyzed and frozen with INACTION (meaning the guy turned icicle ... he can't move and does not do anything to help himself).

When the person reaches the plateau where he is disabled and powerless ... and is unable to make decisions ...  and can't think of any antidotal measures and plans of action to remedy his situation, that is the worst OVERTHINKING can do to the person. 

Overthinking is still within normal parameters at the start. But chronic overthinking making the person lose his appetite, and affects his sleep patterns, family ties, health, and relationship ... these are red flags wanting immediate attention. 

Overthinking (or rumination) becomes a full-blown problem when it totally disrupts your functioning.  Under s stressful situation ... it is normal that the person will spring into action to survive. Being "unable to move" or the feeling that you were stuck and felt immobilized are tell-tale signs that rumination has tied both of your hands including your ability to decide on what to do.

Overthinking is a defense mechanism ... it makes the person believe he is under control ... and rumination makes them feel good inside that something is being done ... thereby reducing his anxiety. But sometimes overthinking gets out of hand ... and if the person got his mind blank and foggy, his hands tied and got glued "in the stuck mode" ... then taking action is next to impossibility.