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Constantly Thinking Disorder: is it a real thing?

220 Answers
Last Updated: 06/12/2022 at 4:13am
Constantly Thinking Disorder: is it a real thing?
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United States
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Jill Kapil, PsyD

Psychologist

I have over 9 years of clinical experience, specialize in anxiety, and am passionate about my work. My approach is collaborative, empathic, supportive, and goal-oriented.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
March 13th, 2019 2:32am
That's a bit of a complicated question. The term "Constantly Thinking Disorder" is not real and is not used by any professionals. It is a term that has been developed by people in order to explain their symptoms and how their brain works, because they likely do not have an actual diagnosis for it. However, constantly thinking is a very real thing, and it's likely a type of anxiety. Many people with anxiety will overthink situations and even things that have happened to them in the past, thinking about what they could have done differently and how they could have changed it. It could also have something to do with ADHD, or it really could be connected to any disorder where racing thoughts is a symptom. It's not a big deal, and by itself, it's not a concern.
Anonymous
May 28th, 2019 3:52pm
I do not know if it is a scientific disorder but there are people who experience the symptoms. Although it may (or may not) be a disorder, thinking constantly and over thinking are possible. It may cause distress for some but not bother others. If you feel you are this way and you are stressed by it try to relax a little and do something fun/you enjoy. If you're constantly thinking don't feel like it's a bad thing, scientists are costly thinking and questioning things, that's why they follow those thoughts and invent/discover life changing things :) Maybe you just have a very creative mind.
Anonymous
June 26th, 2019 5:11am
Constantly thinking disorder would most likely just be labeled as overthinking or maybe even anxiety. I think it's a real thing, it's just when you start to think about the same thing over and over again making up situations and scenarios in your head. Basically if it's you thinking about something that is coming up you just have to prepare yourself the best that you can until it gets there. Sometimes it's not even as bad as you expect it to be, and that's mainly because you end up overthinking about what could happen instead of what ends up actually happening.
ZacharyCalms
October 29th, 2019 3:49pm
I don't think it's necessarily a disorder I think it's more of just a normal thing that everyone can experience from time to time. Constantly Thinking and anxiety go hand in hand so if you can figure out the root of your anxiety and make a change then I think you can solve the constantly thinking problem. It's also not a bad thing automatically a lot of times thinking leads to make good and well thought decisions. Let anxiety guide you through your life and help you. if you currently going though somthing stay positive.
Anonymous
November 19th, 2019 4:18pm
I don't believe there is a disorder for constantly thinking, however, there are many different types of mental illnesses/cognitive processes that do include constant thinking also known as "Overthinking." ADHD and ADD are two different types of cognitive processes. ADHD and ADD are usually focusing problems usually passed down genetically. With ADHD and ADD there is a lack of Norepinephrine, basically meaning there is less control in the brain, this causing the thoughts or imagination in the brain to be constant. A mental illness that includes constant thinking could be a sort of Anxiety. It's shown that people with an anxiety disorder tend to overthink constantly or can't stop worrying/thinking. I advise you look into the symptoms and talk to a licensed professional to see if you have one of the above, seeing how if you don't get help it could become a problem in your daily life.
Tommy27
November 20th, 2019 2:21am
I think the first thing we should do is define what a disorder means. "disrupt the normal functioning of." This tells us that, hypothetically, a constant thinking disorder wouldn't make a lot of sense because there's no abnormal form of constant thinking, and it's too specific. So, if we generalize it a bit and say 'thinking disorder', this makes sense. A disruption in the normal function of thinking; which could entail thinking all the time. Now that we got the technicalities out of the way, lets think about other disorders, such as an eating disorder. A 'disorder' usually means something negative. So a nice rhetorical question you could ask yourself is "what would be the abnormality or the negativity of thinking all the time?" It always depends on the individual when it comes to thinking deeply. Sometimes it can be depressive, sometimes it can help someone relieve anger, for example, or anything in between; whereas an eating disorder only implies a negative effect. So, using that logic, a thinking disorder couldn't really be real. However, this sort of 'concept' could be a branch off of depression, anxiety or paranoia due to the higher amount of which you evaluate things within your life.
Angel1011208
December 8th, 2019 5:40pm
Although in psychology it may not necessarily be called Constantly Thinking Disorder, the act of overthinking, worrying and spiralling are actually linked to and are symptoms of depression and anxiety. Overthinking is not considered (unfortunately) a disorder rather a symptom of one just like self-harm. When addressing is it real or not I would like to tell you that it is a real thing to have this overwhelming and constant burden of constantly thinking and though it is common that does not make it normal and you deserve to reach out and get help in order to get the break you deserve!
MissLuthien
March 8th, 2020 7:44am
Some people's minds are just far more active than others. I do find it very hard to switch off. Sometimes, especially when we're facing a predicament it can be hard not to let our brain branch off towards every eventuality. I always try to remember that we can only do what we can. If you're finding that you can't do tasks like reading without realising half of the words havent gone in, that you could be overwhelmed with a problem, or perhaps feeling anxious. Do you find that it's happening every day? And it really depends on what situations bring it on too.
blitheComfort6759
March 22nd, 2020 2:49am
I guess, somewhat. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations or the urge to do something over and over again. When your mental health declines and you start experiencing depression or anxiety, it can cause repeated thoughts.
CoolNamePending
April 22nd, 2020 3:46am
Sounds like you might be referring to obsessive compulsive disorder. That is characterized by feeling the need to repeat the same things over and over again. Of course you could also be referring to anxiety disorder. That can result in you worrying about thing excessivly. Playing an event over and over in your head. "What if this happens" "maybe I should have did this instead" I would recoomend that you reach out to one of the 7cups listeners who can really help you explore this question a little bit deeper. With everything going on in the world right now alot of people are constantly thinking.
Anonymous
May 3rd, 2020 9:43pm
I have never heard of this disorder, and I don’t even know if it is a real one or not, but when I hear this I think of anxiety. Anxiety is when you are always worrying or anxious about something, meaning you’re constantly thinking. But of course if you’re constantly thinking worrying about something isn’t always the case, of course. So, if you feel you’re always thinking and you can’t quiet your mind, there’s many other things that could be going on. Since I’m no expert I’d recommend talking to a doctor or some sort of specialist to get the help you need.
CourageousHeart1602
May 7th, 2020 3:05pm
Clinically, there isn't a disorder by that name but those of us who suffer from mental health problems certainly experience constant or obsessive thoughts like this. It can be truly terrifying and these thoughts can manifest physical symptoms such as obsessively needing to clean your surroundings (not OCD but rather it is a manifestation of your feelings of shame and feeling dirty) or when you feel dirty yourself despite having taken a shower. It isn't real but it hurts us just the same. It is easier for people to tell us to not think about it because thinking leads to elevated stress levels but what we need to do is redirect our thoughts to another direction so we aren't eternally stressed.
LunaHymn16
June 7th, 2020 5:11am
Having your mind constantly race is definitely a common thing for many people. It's usually a sign of some type of anxiety. Luckily, there are ways to center your mind and keep it from being so preoccupied by anxiety-inducing thoughts. Mindfulness is a type of meditation practice which helps people mentally ground themselves in the moment. Rather than trying to switch off your thoughts (something that isn't possible), people are guided in focusing on their current environment such as sounds or objects. Focusing on stimuli in here and now helps the anxiety sufferer be more present in the moment.
Charlotte996
June 12th, 2020 12:18am
After some years of studying psychology, I haven't come across one with that exact name. However, there are a few disorders that are characterized by intense overthinking and constantly thinking. The main ones are: - OCD: an obsession with something that drives you to a certain act (the compulsion) to quiet raging thoughts about it. Though this tends to be more specific than general. - GAD: This is mainly characterized by constant anxiety, present night and day, and is well known to be linked to uncontrollable thoughts and feelings, that never seem to go away and are very difficult to control. - Social Anxiety: Uncontrollable thoughts and feelings when put in a certain social situation that the individual can't handle These are three of the more "mundane" ones that I listed, but there are many more than can be worth exploring.
DanielPetru
June 13th, 2020 2:38pm
in my opinion, If we are simply speaking about constantly thinking disorder and exclude ocds, anxiety and other mental impairments i do not belive it is "real", On what factors can this condition could be diagnosed? one cannot simply stop thinking as thinking is for the brain what blood circulation is for the heart and the thoughts born in one's brain are simply the product of their personal intelligence, One should accept their thoughts and (dreams?) as beeing a part of themselves. It may possibly be that such individuals might need to practice and engage in activities that furthermore stimulate their brain.?
Anonymous
June 29th, 2020 3:40pm
From my understanding, it is more like OCD. According to American Psychiatric Association's definition: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which time people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking on things or cleaning, can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.Many people have focused thoughts or repeated behaviors. But these do not disrupt daily life and may add structure or make tasks easier. For people with OCD, thoughts are persistent and unwanted routines and behaviors are rigid and not doing them causes great distress. Many people with OCD know or suspect their obsessions are not true; others may think they could be true (known as poor insight). Even if they know their obsessions are not true, people with OCD have a hard time keeping their focus off the obsessions or stopping the compulsive actions.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2020 12:28pm
No, however there are a lot of disorders that involve uncontrollable, racing thoughts. For example mood disorders such as anxiety, OCD, depression, bipolar. Those of course are only a fraction of them. Constantly thinking can be quite harmful for a person and can lead to a deteriorating mental health if not dealt with soon enough. It is important to remember that even though you may feel as though you have no control over your mind and that you can not stop these painful/stressful feelings, you actually can. Some people are just not in the habbit of being in control because they haven't been taught that.
welcominglistening80
September 11th, 2020 5:03am
Yes, constantly thinking disorder is a real thing. People have struggled with overthinking for a long time and it consumes their thoughts and can impede their day. They can struggle with relationships and their day day and can impede with work if they have a spouse they can struggle to communicate. we have to think about every single thing we go through. Even when deciding to get dressed in the morning requires thinking and decision making. Or the drive to work, requires thinking even if its the same route you take daily, whatever it is it requires thinking to the fullest.
enchantingsoul2424
September 19th, 2020 4:58pm
In reality, this doesn't exist. But there are many different kinds of anxiety disorders where an individual engages in overthinking but essentially it is not a disorder. When an individual cannot stop obsessing and worrying over things but it can interfere with day to day life. Overthinking is common, it's part of the human condition. Everbody overthink things at times: may be due to over concern or due to lifestyle performance but what is important is that it is the root cause of all kinds of anxiety disorders so essentially it must be treated either by natural remedies like meditation or artificial therapies.
bubblegumPuppy68
October 25th, 2020 7:40am
Constantly thinking is not a disease or a disorder. It is other conditions, connected or associated with a variety of other conditions that overthinking becomes symptomatic. "what conditions cause overthinking?" Some mental health diagnoses where a person can't stop their brain from rumination are PTSD, trauma, agoraphobia, panic disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, substance-induced anxiety disorders, or it could potentially be a symptom of some other illness. Anxiety levels have a major to play in overthinking. I myself am one that Overthinks almost everything, I am very analytical due to PTSD. Learning to Ground your self is a help to bring down the anxiety which in turn will bring some calmness and a slowing down of the brain sometimes.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2020 6:11pm
Yes, I believe it is. The mind is always processing new and old information. the thought are either random or purposeful, but nevertheless, always present. Pictures in the minds eye or just trying to remember what to do, what needs to be done, or process problem solving solutions. The mind is constantly active and teaming with thought. Since thinking is a progressive function, and the brain never stops processing sensory stimulation, then it is safe to say that the brain is constantly thinking. Whether or not it is conscious though or just daydreaming, the surrounding around you make you engage the mind. Even in sleep, subconscious thoughts are being processed. So the true question is... Is it really a disorder?
Anonymous
December 3rd, 2020 12:03am
I surely believe it is a real thing. Being an overthink can be very hard for people especially since it can lead to the over analyzing. I believe that it is real thing because a lot of people suffer from over thinking. It is no way an easy burden to carry. It difficult and can be a hinderance in many situations including but not limited to dating, meeting new people, going on an interview, and even something as common as ordering food. I don't know if there is a technical term for this disorder but it is very real to at least me.
Anonymous
December 31st, 2020 2:34am
Hi there! I personally believe the disorder can be real and it can affect people without them knowing. I am definitely not an expert but I am a constant thinker myself and I can understand how extreme it can become. I am not sure if it is an official type of disorder but constantly thinking can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other mental health issues. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is similar to constantly thinking. Both struggles with overthinking and constant thoughts. The difference can be that people with OCD have to face with unwanted thoughts and behaviors while with constant thinking disorder, it is not necessarily only having unwanted thoughts. People who constantly think can have the preference to think for a long period of time. Above are the opinions and personal interpretations of my thoughts on this topic. I hope this can help those who also struggle with overthinking. Remember, listeners on 7Cups are always here to company you through thicks and thins~ -Fiona
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2021 1:20pm
In the medical field is known as OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. Keep in minf that our brains are always working and thinking even when we are sleeping, so there's nothing wrong with that, but when we get uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) that can lead to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions), then it can become a problem and is diagnosed as OCD. OCD is more common that what people think and it can be mild or severe, but there are treatment available and best thing to do is to seek professional medical help to get a proper diagnose and the help you need if having OCD.
MaggieJoy
February 26th, 2021 12:41am
Yes, it is. People get caught up in a worrisome thought and the thoughts become circular. They obsess and it continues, until therapy or medication breaks the cycle. Most times this requires professional help, if it goes on too long. My brother had circular thoughts and he got both therapy and medication, which helped him. It can become a vicious cycle, even compromising a person’s mental health, where they cannot function doing the most basic tasks. Thinking by itself is not necessarily an illness, but being unable to relax is not healthy. It may not be in the DSM V book, but it raises flags that help made be needed.
Mimiverse
March 4th, 2021 12:38am
Although constantly thinking may be part of the disorder, something that may be closer to "Constantly thinking" is a mild or small form of OCD (Obsessive Compulsion Disorder). This disorder does deal with reoccurring thoughts that could lead to repeated behavior. However, another question that may help would be, 'what are these thoughts that you are thinking constantly about?' If you are constantly pondering something, is something bothering you? If so, it may always linger in the back of your mind until it's solved. If nothing is bothering you, do you like being by myself often? Does the silence bother you? Sometimes I find myself thinking about the smallest issues when it's too quiet because the silence is something I always want to fill. Although constantly thinking may not be a disorder in itself, the act of it may be something else. Whatever it may be, it's a real thing if you believe in it.
mysteriousLight107
March 10th, 2021 12:39pm
No. But, if you are having trouble with racing thoughts, according to a Medical News Today article, "However, according to a 2019 article, various other factors can trigger racing thoughts. These include: anxiety depression panic disorders chronic stress the use of recreational drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine some prescription drugs, such as dexamethasone medical conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Cushing’s disease a traumatic brain injury Other conditions that may lead to racing thoughts include: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)" If you are having trouble with racing thoughts you should definitely reach out to a psychologist. Racing thoughts are not fun and difficult to deal with on your own.
Anonymous
March 21st, 2021 7:34pm
I don't love classifications about "disorder" generally, but I acknowledge that some of us do experience this reality of constant thinking. I can see this as a gift sometimes, but it can also be very difficult. For example, it may be more difficult to initiate tasks when we are worried about outcomes very far in the future. It can also feel very overwhelming, and it may be difficult for others to relate to this feeling. I see it as a difference rather than a disorder, and it seems helpful to be compassionate to oneself and learn strategies to manage the sense of overwhelm. Mindfulness and meditation may be helpful tools in this regard.
BeigeMoonlight
March 25th, 2021 3:02pm
OCD is a common, long-lasting disorder characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) that can lead people to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Although everyone worries or feels the need to double-check things on occasion, the symptoms associated with OCD are severe and persistent.
naturalBraveheart3768
April 23rd, 2021 7:30pm
Yes! It becomes real until you are thinking too much of it. To accomplish the feeling of stable you should be less worried about thoughts and think that everything that's going to be happen would always be good. overThinking leads to mental trauma and pain. Always find your loved ones near ones to connect. Sharing helps a lot while overthinking. Generally, the symptoms of overthinking includes negative thinking besides the positives. So, feel free to connect to others at any moment. It's just a thing and it will definitely pass on and you will be fit as fiddle one day.