The libraryCalm
Stop Overthinking
Overthinking
Also called Rumination, Ruminating, Replaying conversations, Stuck in your head
Who it's forA man who replays conversations, mistakes and what-ifs for hours, and cannot switch it off.
When to see a doctor
- Replaying with low mood, no interest or no enjoyment for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks: see your doctor. That can be depression, and it is treated first.
- Unwanted thoughts, images or urges that keep forcing their way in, calmed by checking, counting, reassurance or repeating words in your head: that pattern can be OCD. See your doctor soon.
- Worry about a wide range of things, most days, hard to control, for 6 months or more: see your doctor. That can be generalized anxiety.
- Replaying one frightening or shocking event as flashbacks, intrusive images or nightmares: see your doctor soon. That can be PTSD.
- Drinking, smoking or using drugs to switch the replay off: tell the doctor. They can all make mental health worse.
- Using cannabis often: it can bring mood swings, anxiety and low mood. Tell the doctor.
- Low mood, anxiety and poor focus after coming off anabolic steroids: tell the doctor. It is a known withdrawal effect.
- Loud snoring, gasping in sleep, tired all day and moody: ask about sleep apnea.
- Tired, cold, gaining weight and low together: ask for a thyroid blood test.
I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. This is self-education. Every dose on this page is the one a trial or a guideline used, quoted from the source. It is not a prescription. Talk to a physician who has your history before anything in the With a doctor group.