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writes: dear cupidI am in my teens and am 16 years old and i seem to be worrying and thinking about things every single day and i dnt know how to stop, i sometimes cry with because of thinking to much, my main concern now is "does thinking too much leave u paranoid and end up in a mental institute or have any bad effects on you in later life, and if yes how do you stop this from happening???" as i am at my wits trying to do everything possible to stop this, plzzzz help me out Reply to this Question
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reader, shoequeen  +, writes (28 April 2008):
 i find that its the deep thinkers/those who think too much about everything & nothing & all that comes in between... tend to be more prone to depression & states of anxiety. its no surprise really is it? it can be a pain & if you are feeling really upset about overthinking may be you should speak to your doctor about seeing a therapist. i suffered anxiety/panic attacks when i was younger & i have been diagnosed with depression twice. that all sounds very negative i know but my predisposition to thinking too much about things also helps me in a creative way (i write), it helps me to be sensitive to other peoples feelings too. although sometimes i think i'm a little bit too sensitive in that area as i pick up on things/changes of mood etc that other people aren't really aware they are showing! you are a young sensitive soul just finding your way with hormones in the mix too. be kind to yourself & try to go with the flow of things so that you lighten up (the saying a teacher teaches best what he has most to learn sprang to mind as i wrote that last bit! i wonder why??) take care.
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reader, anonymous, writes (8 April 2008): i have the exact same problem. i found this because of google, and i was wondering why i was thinking so paranoid. as i read through the comments, i started to cry cuz ive tried them, except any medication ones; my parents dont believe i need medication... im 14 btw, girl too. i tend to think more of what ppl think of ME and the way i look, the way i act. and every now and then, i catch myself twitching slightly because i might not be holding my arm right, or walking like the person in front of me at school, or something stupid like that. im emo, and if no one knows what that means, it means you try to kill yourself. dont worry, tho. i got friends (yes the ones i can't trust) that help me. i cant trust them because... i just cant. i worry too much of what they think of me. and ive been waiting to get this out, so if anyone has any help for me, PLZ EMAIL ME!!!! my email is this: [email address blocked] just please please help me. ive even thought of hanging myself, and ive cut my wrists twice. HELP ME PLEASE!
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reader, anonymous, writes (26 February 2008): i also think about everything and worry about everything but ive learned just to live with it,but the thing is that i examine everything and everyone and i think that its a good thing
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reader, twenty +, writes (9 November 2007):
it really depends on what you're thinking about. if its all facts then you're ok but when you start getting foggy between fact and fiction and then you can't differentiate between them in the real world. then you got a problem. otherwise, if you're ok with what you're thinking about and u can channel that into wisdom for your future and wisdom for your peers then that's ok. if you're thinking about nonsense that's ok too as long as it doesn't interfere with your self esteem, overall mood, or physical health.
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reader, anonymous, writes (9 November 2007): it really depends on what you're thinking about. if its all facts then you're ok but when you start getting foggy between fact and fiction and then you can't differentiate between them in the real world. then you got a problem. otherwise, if you're ok with what you're thinking about and u can channel that into wisdom for your future and wisdom for your peers then that's ok. if you're thinking about nonsense that's ok too as long as it doesn't interfere with your self esteem, overall mood, or physical health.
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reader, anonymous, writes (1 June 2007): I don't know, my mental problems began when I was 16 and I'm 29 now and my thoughts show no sign of abating. As that reply said maybe the fact you think too much is what can make you good at certain things like creative thinking and analyzing.
I know that I am very creative but I am also quite conflicted inside, I would rather be dull perhaps an accountant anyday, I'm sick of this brain of mine it won't shut up.
I'm sorry I don't know what the answer is cos I'm still looking. Maybe some of us just aren't designed to be happy and at peace with ourselves.
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reader, anonymous, writes (9 December 2006): I once read a novel(fantasy)about a witch in which the author said "you have your first thoughts everyone has those, then you have your second thoughts, people who enjoy thinking have these, and then you have your third thoughts(people with high intellect or such have these.Maybe it's just your mind trying to transmit all sorts of messages at the same time, like hormones or it could be a reflection that you have deeper thoughts than average people, which might make you grow to enjoy these thoughts. You're probably just a deep thinker and that might make you slightly more paranoid at times, depending on how much conflict your thoughts have, but if it is a part of you than you will just adapt to it and learn to live with it. If it is just an adolescent phase or wteva it'll soon clear up, don't worry everything you have is totally normal :)
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reader, AngelofLove +, writes (9 December 2006):
 This is a fase in your life that we all need to go through.
Try to keep busy with other things to distract your mind and do not give yourself a hard time about it.
Lots of hugs xxx
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reader, anonymous, writes (9 December 2006): You sound like I did when I was your age. I eventually became anorexic, lost all my friends, became a hermit. But I also won every art competion in my district, ran cross country, became a classical guitar prodigy, learned to skateboard, snowboard, competitvly bike and write great analytical essays- and got straight A's all through out high school and college. So dont worry. You are only blessed with a power to think deeper. If anything- distract yourself with a book, make some friends. If the opposite sex or your family or your body is worrring you- find someone to talk to about it- it might relieve alot of pressure. Just dont neglect yourself. If you come to the point where all you are tihnking is negative thoughts I reccomend the book, "intimate connections" by david burns. He has helped alot of people overcome anxiety and negative dialog- or theres a book called "learning optimism" too. Anyways- distract yourself, learn something, or meet some people, get active and get involved and mabye your mind will free itsself. Take a chill and respect yourself
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reader, VictoriasSecrets +, writes (9 December 2006):
 You are a teenager and your body and emotions are changing every day, and so is your moods. Every 7 years the human body changes. This is usually a mental change as your being is preparing you for the next phase of your life. You are very confused right now and that is normal for a 16 year old, and the good thing about it is the fact that you are acknowledging your anxietys, the next thing for you to do is accept that your body and emotions are changing, and that it is all for the better, even though it might not feel like it right now, but you are developing into a young women, just chill out a little, you should develop an interest and focus on what makes you happy and stick to it, it will all soon be over and you will be speading your wings like a beautiful butterfly soon enough. Enjoy your adolescence, because it is fast passing phase.
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reader, maxsteel86 +, writes (9 December 2006):
 all these posters seem to anti thought for some reason... whats up with that? There's nothing wrong with thinking. The more you think, the sharper your mind becomes. It does NOT turn you gay or leave you in a mental institute. Otherwise, the smart people in the world would be shoved in mental homes under the control of dumbasses! I think what your problem is that your thoughts are all over the place. You gotta focus it. That's where some head doctor might be able to do some good. There's a drug out there that helps you focus. Think its prescription only though...
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reader, shania +, writes (8 December 2006):
 You are probably suffering from high anxiety and therefore it has altered the way you think.Its normal to worry about certain things but when its taking over your life then it becomes a hindrance.You should go to your doctor who will refer you to see a psychiatrist...they are trained to dealing with problems of the mind.Try not to beat yourself up about it...Its become a habit,there is help out there...take it.
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reader, moomoomoo  +, writes (8 December 2006):
 This will probably give me negative ratings, but people who are smarter, brilliant mines who tend to think more have more chances of having something mentally wrong with them. In my life, there has been many times where people studied so hard they just turned gay. (not saying being gay is wrong) Many other things have happened, I mean think about the famous people in the past, they all had things wrong with them, albert einstein, pascal...
Anyways, that's also what made my school the smartest out of the 5 high schools in my city. We had the most people who were queer (cant think of a better word here), and mentally strange, but thats what made us the smartest. It's a trend.
Anyhow, for your situation, it helps not to think about things too much. People who don't understand a physics problem for example, may have a much easier time just accepting that they got the right answer, because they just don't have the mental capacity to comprehend it as easily as some others do. It won't make you mentally insane if you keep thinking about things, it won't make you paranoid (some cases it will), but I can tell you you will be better off thinking less and be a more laid-back type of guy. Heed my words.. it will help you.
And usually it doesn't affect your later life, as long as something unusual like turning gay al of a sudden or completely shifting moral or political views happens.
Just relax. It will help you. Everytime you think or worry about something, just relax. Forget it.
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reader, hugs2muchgal +, writes (8 December 2006):
 awww, i feel sorry for you. im a 15 year old teenage girl and i do the same thing. over thinking always makes situations worse, can make you over paranoid, and depressed. advice, try meditation or yoga, both really clear up the mind. or maybe if you like reading, read books to distract you, that usually works for me. happy music, friends all those will help. message me if you want any more advice
good luck
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reader, eddie  +, writes (8 December 2006):
 You should talk to someone who is qualified to help you. You will need togo into detail with a therapist to discover what's going on. There is help for you.
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