Is it normal to never stop thinking

And that's the profound shift when we're no longer fully identified with thoughts and we are this space that can also determine what's good for me, where do I want to move? And where do I not want to move? And thought is just moving through, but the space within which it moves is this sort of eternal presence.

More: India is in crisis. Showing more empathy is the least we can do. Q: You say you were convinced that the major cause of your suffering came from your own mind. But what about people who are repeatedly hurt or wronged, whose causes of suffering are external? Is this book applicable to people who are, for example, being systematically oppressed? Colier: Suffering is not all imaginary in our minds. And I would say these two things can go on simultaneously, that we address the very real terrible things that are happening in our society at large, in our lives, and we can be mindful at the same time, asking, "Where are we creating more suffering inside our mind with it?

If I have done everything I can for today with making something happen for change, do I need to come home and replay the horror over and over and over and over again as some sort of way I'm continuing to help, some sort of fantasy that I owe that to the situation that's happening?

These are where our thoughts start to create suffering about the real injustices that are happening. Q: You write that self-help is solving the wrong problem, particularly as it tries to change bad thoughts into good thoughts. Can you explain that? Colier: As long as we're still believing that our wellbeing is reliant upon the content of our thoughts, we're still imprisoned.

We're still stuck. What I'm trying to do is move the dial a little bit further, which is to say That's when we start to meet real freedom. Of course we prefer to have happy thoughts moving through. There's no question, but what would it mean if our real wellbeing didn't rely on that? Then every time a negative thought got through, we wouldn't be, "Ah, now my mood has to be negative. Q: Is the goal then not to replace self-hating with positive thoughts, but to stop believing them?

Colier: The reason I say we don't just replace them with great thoughts is because when things get hard, that doesn't work. It's like putting a hat on dirty hair. Q: You write about how people spend a lot of time revisiting their hurt, especially when they didn't get the empathy they needed at the time of the wounding.

Can you explain the difference between showing yourself empathy and revisiting something painful in a way that's to our detriment? Colier: It's so tricky with pain because pain for a lot of people is a fundamental home. You're worried about a presentation you are giving at work later in the day. You're prepared. You know you're ready. But you can't stop worrying about it.

You imagine making a mistake. When you start to think of yourself stumbling over words, you say "Stop" quietly in your mind. You get up and move around, or you snap your rubber band as you say "Stop. Current as of: September 23, Maldonado PhD - Behavioral Health. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Catherine D. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page Actionset. Introduction Unwanted thoughts can make you feel anxious or depressed. A technique called thought-stopping can help you stop unwanted thoughts. What you think can affect how you feel.

Thought-stopping helps you change how you think so that you feel better. Changing your thinking will take some time. You need to practice thought-stopping every day. After a while, you'll be able to stop unwanted thoughts right away. Some people may need more help to stop unwanted thoughts. Talk to your doctor or a therapist if you want more help to stop thoughts that bother you. How can you stop thoughts? Here's how to get started: List your most stressful thoughts.

These are the thoughts that distract you from your daily activities and make you worry more. You wish you could stop having these thoughts, but they keep occurring. I do not believe this is a real disorder, just a large problem amongst most people. I believe it falls under anxiety and relates as a symptom: over thinking, excessive thinking, constant thinking, etc. But it, in itself, is not a disorder. I think that depends on the way things are being thought.

Just worrying is a normal thing; we all encounter that sort of stress. OCD is a disorder involving constantly thinking that can result in anxiety, mostly stemming from a sort of inferiority complex and a bit of paranoia that things done outside of certain routines you've established will somehow negatively affect you the way of bad luck at some point down the line, like thinking you have to take a certain number of steps up a stairway so you count them all down, or having to finish your food in only so many bites.

It can also result in a sort of fixation or phobia, like a fear of germs to the point of not wanting to be touched, hence the "Obsessive" in OCD. I'm not a doctor by any means, but as long as your alive and breathing, you're constantly thinking. Finding the secret to compartmentalize and direct those thoughts is a whole other animal. I fully believe constantly thinking disorder is a thing! In fact, I'd say I'm a sufferer! My mind is constantly thinking and I find it very hard to switch off.

Finding activities that relax helps. Exercise etc. I love horse riding, because it takes my mind off what im overthinking as I'm focusing on the task in hand. Anonymous January 21st, pm. I really don't know but if it affects one's day to day life then they should go to a therapist or a doctor.

No, however anxiety or panic disorder could lead to constantly over thinking things through. It's not uncommon in people struggling with this!

Depends on how you interpret this. Constantly Thinking Disorder is a form of generalized anxiety. When one thinks too much, it can be distracting to them to the point that they can't concentrate. Clearing your mind by reading, listening to music, or watching a TV show or movie are good methods of relaxation for those who over think. Anonymous April 3rd, am. I guess so.

Because it happens with me, a lot. I can't help it.. However hard I try. It is very hard for me to concentrate on studies or anything else that is important. There's no diagnosis connected to this. Nonetless, illnesses like OCD or generalized anxiety disorder is about overthinking, amongst many others. If there is no medical evidence to suggest that "Thinking Disorder" is a mental illness then it's definitely not a real thing.

Anonymous February 11th, am. Well if it was a thing then said have it myself. I dont think that it really is a disorder.

Constantly thinking means your brain functions properly and you get to use it well. Anonymous February 14th, pm. I don't think that constantly thinking is a disorder. I think that this is rather a symptom of anxiety. Constantly over thinking and worrying is a characteristic of a disorder, but not a disorder itself.

I do think our minds can go into over drive mode. Over thinking things can lead to anxiety and all other types of problems.