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Is overthinking a mental disorder?

127 Answers
Last Updated: 07/26/2021 at 11:10pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
January 30th, 2016 10:37am
First of all, I am not a doctor. What I think is, that overthinking can be classified as a mental disorder, but it is very often linked to anxiety and/or depression.
darlingyouregorgeous
February 13th, 2016 4:59pm
Overthinking can be a mental disorder if taken to the extreme. There are some situations that everyone tends to overthink about, but then there are those that usually shouldn't be thought about too much. If people are thinking too much about those situations constantly, then I think it could be considered a mental disorder. It sounds like something that would go along with mental disorders and depression although I suppose you could see it by itself.
Anonymous
February 25th, 2016 2:25pm
It depends on who you ask. Overthinking might be considered a mental disorder but as of now I have not heard of it as being listed as one.
Kace
February 27th, 2016 9:17am
To answer as concisely as possible: 'it can be'. When resulting in obsessions, it becomes a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder. If it interferes with one's life, it can be part of a generalized anxiety disorder. But overthinking in itself is not a mental disorder.
Anonymous
February 27th, 2016 10:04am
No not at all. It is totally normal. Overthinking is just stressing about any single or random thoughts altogether in our mind.
Imherepeople8
February 28th, 2016 9:03am
No, I don't think so. Its something that every human being goes through, however intelligent, confident or rich he might be
RememberYouAreNotAlone
February 28th, 2016 7:47pm
No, people might tell you differently but people don't know you. People don't have the authority to tell you "oh you think too much you have a mental disorder"
Anonymous
March 2nd, 2016 5:14am
No, i dont think it's a mental disorder. I mean we all overthink things from time to time.. It's rather hard to avoid overthinking in general. I suppose it's rather natural.
GodisLove8888
March 2nd, 2016 6:36am
I don't think it's a disorder. But it can be an obsessive trait. Like my husband has to look of every angle before making any decisions. Which can be healthy, if it doesn't cause issues in your day to day life. Learn to trust yourself, usually your first response is correct.
Starfromheaven
March 2nd, 2016 10:43am
Not really untill you start geting negative thoughts its a problem. so think but dont think negatively
blanket7
March 2nd, 2016 1:45pm
I don't think that is directly a mental disorder but it can be some signs of you having something such as social anxiety or just anxiety.
Anonymous
March 2nd, 2016 5:05pm
Overthinking can be a sign of ADHD, ADD, or anxiety but it could just be that you have a lot on you mind
trinitycantfly
March 4th, 2016 4:39am
Over think is not a mental disorder, although it is a symptom for several. If you are concerned that you may have a mental disorder, you should contact your doctor or a therapist to help you make the decision.
animalLove75
March 4th, 2016 1:30pm
No, everyone overthinks sometimes, even I overthink, it's not and it is part of growing up and part of our life
eyeslikeanocean
March 5th, 2016 4:02pm
I don't think so. It can often be a symptom/side effect of a mental health issue but I don't think it alone is a mental disorder.
SkylinePainter
March 6th, 2016 2:22pm
My personal experience with overthinking was with this one guy. We both loved eachother very much, but he kept thinking that I have someone else was ruining our relationship. Example when I just went out with my friends, he came up with 10 different cases why I went out. Cases were "i must love my friend" or " I must meet other guys that I dont tell him about". All that led me to be very sad, feeling lonely bc he made himself think that I don't love him. So overthinking has huge effect in relationship and it can destroy a good relationship. It might be a symptom from other mental disorder or bad experience with other people.
GlitterSkies
March 9th, 2016 11:00am
I believe over thinking can turn into a mental disorder if it is ignored. It can also interfere with daily life.
Anonymous
March 10th, 2016 5:25pm
Yes but the term for this disorder is called chronic anxiety. This disorder many people suffer from several cases of anxiety. The most common form of anxiety disorder is (GAD) generalized anxiety disorder. Systems include Difficulty sleeping Being on edge or feeling restless Irritability Fatigue Muscle tension
Karen00
March 10th, 2016 8:45pm
no we all go through this kind of stuff sometimes! you just may be going in some stress lately! but don't worry you'll get over it soon
heygabbagabbaaa
March 11th, 2016 7:58pm
I would consider over thinking a mental illness because at one point it feels like you're not even thinking anymore and it's just your mind going wild and telling you these crazy things yet you still believe them with almost every ounce of you. Years of illness recovery of any emotional or mental factor can go to waste by just one night of over thinking. That's how easily it can mess you up.
SingingPhoenix
March 12th, 2016 8:40pm
I don't know if it is a disorder or not. I personally think that it shows you are worried about things. Although, maybe in a sense it is a disorder?
KawaiiP0tat0
March 16th, 2016 5:57am
It depends if the overthinking is causing refraining you from carrying out daily activities and affecting your physical health. If it is then it is very likely that you are suffering from anxiety. I suggest that you go see a GP if you wish to receive a clinical diagnosis. But you may also want to try online helplines. I suffered and still do suffer from anxiety and I feel that talking to someone about it anonymously is really helpful and they are able to offer tips on controlling it.
Anonymous
March 16th, 2016 11:34pm
Overthinking is not a mental disorder although it is a symptom of many other mental disorders such as anxiety
caringReeds28
March 17th, 2016 10:47am
I don't think so as long as it does not affect your day to say activities. However anxiety definition is
Anonymous
March 18th, 2016 6:21am
not really, could lead to feeling anxious though.
Anonymous
March 18th, 2016 10:28am
No, overthinking is not a mental disorder. Overthinking happens to the best of us, and I believe it is part and parcel of the mind's natural mechanism. For instance, I consider myself an over-thinker, therefore I understand how that feels. I think it becomes a mental condition, when it starts influencing your every-day activities, and it starts distressing you. Therefore, it is important that we always look at the quantity of a feature (in this case: overthinking) and not the quality. Everyone, some day or another has over-thought, presently overthinks and will over-think. BUT it is how MUCH you overthink and how much it hinders your daily activities and creates distress that matters. Therefore overthinking per se, is not a mental disorder. It is a feature found in everyone.
siria13
March 19th, 2016 7:02am
No. But overthinking can be a symptom of anxiety or another mental disorder, Being worried and stressed can also cause you to overthink. The difference is the rationality and whether you can stop overthinking when you want to.
timaeusTestified1203
March 20th, 2016 12:23am
Short answer: it can be. Longer answer: sometimes overthinking can be a sign of anxiety, OCD, or similar things- my anxiety is very heavy overthinking mixed with other stuff.
Anonymous
March 20th, 2016 8:47am
No, but over thinking can lead to a mental disorder such as anxiety. If you feel like you over think too much, seek help with someone who will listen (us).
divinewillpower86
March 21st, 2016 4:43pm
Hi, over thinking is a natural phenomenon of the mind and the heart! When we undergo a huge amount of stress and accept anxiety as our daily lifestyle, then over thinking appears all of a sudden. However, it is very much general. As soon as we cut off with the anxiety and stressful situation, we return to the normal lifestyle! So smile!