Am I an Overthinker? Signs You Overthink
Generally, if you excessively apologize, relive memories, worry about pleasing others, ask for second opinions, overanalyze decisions, and feel insecure in social situations, you are an overthinker.
Overthinking is the inability to control one’s thoughts, especially the negative ones.
The Overthinking Quiz Explained
Consisting of 20 psychological questions, the overthinking quiz is a self-evaluation that reveals if you’ve lost your thoughts’ control. It identifies if you’re an overthinker—a person with excessive worries—or a catastrophizer—one who assumes that the worst will happen.
4 Types of Overthinkers
Although not a mental illness, overthinking takes various forms. Here are the four types.
1. Ruminating about the past.
Often seen in people with childhood trauma, rumination about memories is the most common type of overthinking. It urges the person to relive negative emotions of past experiences.
2. Worrying about the future.
Another type of overthinking deals with fears of the upcoming. The person might overanalyze every move to prevent catastrophes. And they may worry about absurd ideas, such as how will I die?
3. Overanalyzing decisions.
Extreme hesitation is an undeniable sign of overthinking. But for some people, it’s the source of their rumination issues. They can’t stop overanalyzing every move.
4. Social anxiety.
A common type of overthinking is bound to cause anxiety in social situations. In this case, the person is self-conscious around others and feels unable to interact or engage in everyday activities.
Overthinking Checklist
If you have four or more of the following symptoms, you’re an overthinker:
- You are insecure.
- You have a problem sleeping.
- You can’t let go of negative memories.
- You ask for and act on second opinions.
- You apologize several times for one mistake.
- You feel nervous when you can’t please others.
- You’re constantly worried about things you can’t control.
How to Stop Overthinking
The ultimate solution is therapy. However, Emma McAdam, a licensed marriage & family therapist, suggests a 5-step process that might help you stop overthinking.
Step 1: Notice and name your thoughts.
Remind yourself, “I’m overthinking,” says Emma McAdam.
It’s crucial to be conscious of overthinking. The first step, therefore, is to catch yourself red-handed and remind yourself that you are currently overanalyzing a thought or situation.
Step 2: Postpone or schedule your worries.
To limit the time you spend on each thought, postpone the ones that bother you. Promise yourself that you’ll come back and overview that particular idea when you’re ready.
It’s even better to schedule a specific day each month to review your worrying thoughts.
Step 3: Shift your attention and thought process.
Your goal should be shifting attention from unnecessary to necessary, from abstract to concrete, and from dismissible to valuable thoughts.
Step 4: Distract yourself.
Although not a permanent cure, distraction can help ease your stress. So, one way to stop overthinking is by engaging in attention-draining activities.
But beware that too much distraction causes other problems, such as derealization. So, don’t overuse this technique.
Step 5: Think on a piece of paper.
Never let overthinking take place in your mind. Put your thoughts onto a paper instead—and try giving them a logical order. Oftentimes, writing down your worries leads to solutions or demonstrates the insignificance of the issue(s).
What to Do if the Test Called You an Overthinker?
Don’t overthink the results. Everyone experiences excessive thoughts at some point in life. Overthinking is not a mental condition, and there are several effective methods to keep it under control.
If the test called you an overthinker—and if intrusive thoughts are interfering with your everyday life or relationships—consider seeing a therapist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an excellent way to deal with overanalyzing or catastrophizing. And a therapist can guide you through the process.
Disclaimer
The overthinking quiz is not a replacement for a clinical diagnosis. Please, consult a licensed therapist or a psychologist for a detailed analysis.
