Is Overthinking Dangerous? When Should You See a Doctor? | Safe and Sound
Thinking too much, also known as overthinking, is a fairly common condition today. Many people think that thinking too much is just a bad habit, but if it lasts for a long time, it can lead to serious mental and physical health problems. So is thinking too much dangerous? When should you see a psychiatrist for treatment? Let's find out in the article below.
Phi Thuy Linh | Bachelor of Public Health – Mental Health Care Application Safe and Sound
Institute of Medical Technology Applications
1. What is overthinking?
Overthinking makes it difficult to control your thoughts.
Ruminosis is a condition in which a person constantly worries, analyzes, and speculates about problems in their lives, even when they are not serious. People with this disorder often have difficulty controlling their thoughts, which can cause them to fall into a spiral of stress and anxiety.
Overthinking can occur in anyone, but is especially common in people who have perfectionistic personalities, are prone to anxiety, or have experienced psychological events.
2. Is overthinking dangerous?
Overthinking not only affects the mind but can also cause many health problems. Here are some of the negative consequences that this condition can cause:
2.1. Causes anxiety disorders and depression
People who overthink are at high risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression. They often feel stressed, pessimistic and unable to enjoy life. Without timely intervention, the condition can become severe and affect the quality of life.
2.2. Effects on sleep
People who think a lot often have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This leads to fatigue, lack of concentration and memory loss. If insomnia persists, the body will be susceptible to weakness and immune deficiency.
2.3. Causes cardiovascular and blood pressure problems
Chronic stress from overthinking can increase blood pressure, put pressure on the heart, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many studies show that people who are often stressed have a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than normal people.
2.4. Effects on the digestive system
Thinking too much causes nervous tension and digestive disorders.
Stress can disrupt the digestive system, causing stomach aches, irritable bowel syndrome, or loss of appetite. Many people who overthink often have unhealthy eating habits, increasing the risk of digestive diseases.
2.5. Decreased ability to concentrate and make decisions
When you think too much, your brain becomes overloaded, making it difficult to concentrate on work and make decisions. This seriously affects your work performance, study performance and personal relationships.
3. When should I see a psychiatrist?
Not everyone who overthinks needs to see a psychiatrist, but if it persists and seriously affects your life, you should seek professional help. Here are some signs that you need to see a psychiatrist:
3.1. Overthinking affects daily life
If overthinking is causing you to lose sleep, be ineffective at work, affect your relationships, and prevent you from enjoying life, it's a clear sign you need to see a psychiatrist to improve your quality of life.
3.2. Have symptoms of anxiety or depression
People who overthink are often at high risk of anxiety disorders and depression . If you feel persistently sad, lose interest in everything, get irritable or have negative thoughts for more than 2 weeks, see a psychiatrist for timely support.
3.3. Appearance of unexplained physical symptoms
Overthinking can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath without any known cause. If you often experience these problems, see a psychiatrist for examination and appropriate treatment.
3.4. Intention to harm oneself
This is the most dangerous sign that you need immediate intervention from a psychiatrist. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help as soon as possible.
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4. What can a psychiatrist do for you?
When you see a psychiatrist, your mental health will be assessed, the cause of your problem will be determined, and you will receive appropriate treatment. Some of the methods that a psychiatrist may use include:
- Psychotherapy: A psychiatrist may suggest that you see a psychologist to help you change your thinking, control anxiety, and improve your mental health.
- Medication: In some cases, a psychiatrist may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants to help stabilize your mood.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga to reduce stress.
- Build a healthy lifestyle: Helps you improve your diet, sleep and exercise habits to support mental health.
5. How to prevent overthinking
In addition to seeing a psychiatrist when necessary, you can improve your overthinking condition by doing the following:
- Stay positive: Write down positive things every day, practice gratitude, and limit your exposure to negative information.
- Exercise: Exercising at least 30 minutes a day helps reduce stress and increase happy hormones.
- Practice meditation and mindfulness: Spend at least 10 minutes a day breathing deeply, focusing on the present and eliminating negative thoughts.
- Build a healthy lifestyle: Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, eat a balanced diet, avoid caffeine and stimulants.
- Seek support from loved ones: Share with friends, family or join support groups for more motivation to overcome stress.
- Learn to control your thoughts: When you start to overthink, ask yourself: "Is this really important? What can I do to solve it?" This will help you gradually control your thoughts.
Overthinking not only affects your psychology but can also cause many serious health problems. If this condition persists and affects your life, do not hesitate to see a psychiatrist for timely advice and treatment. A healthy lifestyle, combined with support from a specialist, will help you control your thoughts and enjoy life better.
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See also:
Recognize the typical signs of overthinking?
