• The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.

    If you are having struggles, need support in a particular area that you aren't finding a specific recovery area forum, you may find the General Struggles forum a great place to post. Any any that is related to emotions, self-esteem, insomnia, anger, relationship dynamics due to mental health and recovery and other issues that don't fit better in another forum would be examples of topics that might go there.

    If you have spiritual issues related to a mental health and recovery issue, please use the Recovery Related Spiritual Advice forum. This forum is designed to be like Christian Advice, only for recovery type of issues. Recovery being like a family in many ways, allows us to support one another together. May you be blessed today and each day.

    Kristen.NewCreation and FreeinChrist

Overthinking

dms1972

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 26, 2013
5,084
1,302
✟593,863.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Seems like I have had this problem so long that its my normal way of being. I live continually in my head, not just some of the time but all the time. I know its some sort of defense perhaps to keep from being aware of whats going on deep down. It may also be philosophical. But it means I am not really living in touch with myself.

In my teens it was a problem at times but I could still my thoughts and come back to myself to some extent. But now its like continual, it more than just overthinking occasionally, I am just not not in touch with myself at all. If I was to speak to a counsellor or psychotherapist as I have done a few times, its hard for me to tell them what is wrong, I am just too out of touch (up in my head) to be aware.

Any advice.
 

trophy33

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2018
8,856
3,553
N/A
✟145,364.00
Country
Czech Republic
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Seems like I have had this problem so long that its my normal way of being. I live continually in my head, not just some of the time but all the time. I know its some sort of defense perhaps to keep from being aware of whats going on deep down. It may also be philosophical. But it means I am not really living in touch with myself.

In my teens it was a problem at times but I could still my thoughts and come back to myself to some extent. But now its like continual, it more than just overthinking occasionally, I am just not not in touch with myself at all. If I was to speak to a counsellor or psychotherapist as I have done a few times, its hard for me to tell them what is wrong, I am just too out of touch (up in my head) to be aware.

Any advice.
Helping others (people, animals) in a practical way will help you with thinking too much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tom 1
Upvote 0

Presbyterian Continuist

Senior Veteran
Supporter
Mar 28, 2005
21,810
10,792
76
Christchurch New Zealand
Visit site
✟827,333.00
Country
New Zealand
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Seems like I have had this problem so long that its my normal way of being. I live continually in my head, not just some of the time but all the time. I know its some sort of defense perhaps to keep from being aware of whats going on deep down. It may also be philosophical. But it means I am not really living in touch with myself.

In my teens it was a problem at times but I could still my thoughts and come back to myself to some extent. But now its like continual, it more than just overthinking occasionally, I am just not not in touch with myself at all. If I was to speak to a counsellor or psychotherapist as I have done a few times, its hard for me to tell them what is wrong, I am just too out of touch (up in my head) to be aware.

Any advice.
Here is a good Scripture to start off with:
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

You need to remember that the theory that psychotherapists subscribe to mainly comes from atheists or those who were influenced by eastern mysticism (Freud, Jung, Berne, Bruner, Erikson, Rogers).
 
  • Useful
Reactions: dms1972
Upvote 0

dms1972

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 26, 2013
5,084
1,302
✟593,863.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Here is a good Scripture to start off with:
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

You need to remember that the theory that psychotherapists subscribe to mainly comes from atheists or those who were influenced by eastern mysticism (Freud, Jung, Berne, Bruner, Erikson, Rogers).

Thanks for the scripture, i'll try and let it sink in.
 
Upvote 0

dms1972

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 26, 2013
5,084
1,302
✟593,863.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
You need to remember that the theory that psychotherapists subscribe to mainly comes from atheists or those who were influenced by eastern mysticism (Freud, Jung, Berne, Bruner, Erikson, Rogers).

Thanks, thats one subject I have read a fair bit about, psychological theory. Jung is probably the most problematic for a christian. Several of the neo-freudians however seem to have been christians - thinking particularly of Harry Guntrip, Donald Winnicott, Ronald Fairbairn (The middle group in psycho-analysis)
 
Upvote 0

FIRESTORM314

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 20, 2018
648
399
The Shires
✟175,096.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Seems like I have had this problem so long that its my normal way of being. I live continually in my head, not just some of the time but all the time. I know its some sort of defense perhaps to keep from being aware of whats going on deep down. It may also be philosophical. But it means I am not really living in touch with myself.

In my teens it was a problem at times but I could still my thoughts and come back to myself to some extent. But now its like continual, it more than just overthinking occasionally, I am just not not in touch with myself at all. If I was to speak to a counsellor or psychotherapist as I have done a few times, its hard for me to tell them what is wrong, I am just too out of touch (up in my head) to be aware.

Any advice.

The problem with that little scenario is that you are likely to try and think up the solution to solve the problem and thus make it worse.

Possibly Change your lifestyle - less screen time, less factual study,less thinking, etc. Get outdoors and do some walking, listen to relaxing music. Cut down on the caffeine, booze, stimulants. If you are in a career that needs deep thought or study then try switching to something completely different - eg Sales or maybe something outdoors rather than being confined in a room with your own thoughts.

And - take action now rather than when you are feeling better.

Spiritually - Trust in God of course and have some quiet times in prayer.

We live in a very stimulating society - there is so much information available we can be very knowledgeable but be a Pigmy in Wisdom. I suspect Less is more in this instance. Chill out and take the load off yourself.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Lily76_

Pray for the Persecuted
Supporter
Apr 19, 2007
4,775
2,609
scotland
✟466,325.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Labour
You sound like me i have BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER i overthink get blasphemous thoughts and upsetting thing in my head that i cant get rid off writing down things help weather it on line or off line
here id you ever need to talk
 
  • Friendly
Reactions: dms1972
Upvote 0

dms1972

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 26, 2013
5,084
1,302
✟593,863.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
When I say "overthinking" I mean i live a lot in my theories, its like theory whether it be in theology, or some other subject replaces reality , or is reality for me. I said my difficults might be philosophical in origin, and the reason i said that is that in my earlier life I got into the philosophy of Hegel. For Hegel the "rational is real" - Hegel is known for his vast system , he claimed to have knowledge of the whole of reality or at least to find a place for everything in his System. In Hegel the mental has priority over the spiritual. I am not sure to what extent I am still Hegelian (if at all).

I just need to get my thinking off myself. It would be easier if I had some social contacts, friendships, but I have zero of those at the minute. I have never been one to have loads of friends, at most one or two friendships at any one time. Most of those I no longer have, people move on. I simply have not been able to find friendships through the church. The last church i went to I was introduced to another chap. I made every effort to build something out of this ,but we were too alike perhaps. I actually think the lady that introduced us thought that would be a good thing - it simply is not, friendships develop from common interests.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

FIRESTORM314

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 20, 2018
648
399
The Shires
✟175,096.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
When I say "overthinking" I mean i live a lot in my theories, its like theory whether it be in theology, or some other subject replaces reality , or is reality for me. I said my difficults might be philosophical in origin, and the reason i said that is that in my earlier life I got into the philosophy of Hegel. For Hegel the "rational is real" - Hegel is known for his vast system , he claimed to have knowledge of the whole of reality or at least to find a place for everything in his System. In Hegel the mental has priority over the spiritual. I am not sure to what extent I am still Hegelian (if at all).

I just need to get my thinking off myself. It would be easier if I had some social contacts, friendships, but I have zero of those at the minute. I have never been one to have loads of friends, at most one or two friendships at any one time. Most of those I no longer have, people move on. I simply have not been able to find friendships through the church. The last church i went to I was introduced to another chap. I made every effort to build something out of this ,but we were too alike perhaps. I actually think the lady that introduced us thought that would be a good thing - it simply is not, friendships develop from common interests.

The opposite of that is to see everything in a Spiritual context and be so far removed from "reality" that one cannot function in society. For example , everything that goes wrong is of the Devil, Every time you are feeling unwell - it's of the Devil. when someone disagrees with you - they are being controlled by the Devil and so on. We do live in this world and I myself adopt a rational approach in dealing with worldly situations. It takes good judgement to know what is spiritual and what is not.

In a nutshell - you have to master how to live and function in this world and also live according to God's word ( which is often not going along with the world ) and have knowledge and understanding of the Spiritual. That's quite a balancing act.

Me - I'd concentrate on developing myself in areas where most work is needed. Such as social skills, being outgoing, etc. It makes for a more enjoyable experience in life and no matter how spiritual you are - you can't share your faith with people if you are unable to approach them and hold a conversation.

It's not how much you know - it's what you do with it that counts.

Those who are successful learn to apply to themselves what they learn and that takes effort and discipline.
 
Upvote 0

dms1972

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 26, 2013
5,084
1,302
✟593,863.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
You sound like me i have BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER i overthink get blasphemous thoughts and upsetting thing in my head that i cant get rid off writing down things help weather it on line or off line
here id you ever need to talk

I have wondered about that in the past. The way personality disorders (if I have one) are classed now (at least in the DSM) is to put them in clusters. As such I think my difficulties tend to be more under Cluster C (Anxious, fearful) which includes Avoidant, Dependent and OCD.

I have been listening to a lady on Youtube called Kris Reece. I don't know if any of her stuff would be helpful to you - you can check out her videos if you want.

God Bless.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Amittai

baggage apostate
Aug 20, 2006
1,426
491
✟41,180.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
When I say "overthinking" I mean i live a lot in my theories, its like theory whether it be in theology, or some other subject replaces reality, or is reality for me. I said my difficults might be philosophical in origin, and the reason i said that is that in my earlier life I got into the philosophy of Hegel. For Hegel the "rational is real" - Hegel is known for his vast system , he claimed to have knowledge of the whole of reality or at least to find a place for everything in his System. In Hegel the mental has priority over the spiritual. I am not sure to what extent I am still Hegelian (if at all). ...

I believe it's great for folks like us to delve ever further into matters factual but to ensure it is broad enough. I've pulled myself up by my bootstraps since I stopped working by self-home schooling in sciences, linguistics, history, philosophy (I recommend Gilson's Methodical Realism and the drily witty Elementary Lessons in Logic by W Stanley Jevons). That way we can converge on the objective.

Hegel was a monolithist and that is why you are depressed, I expect. He tells you you are no more than a figment of the "system". His "mental" is not God's idea of the mental. His idea of the "spiritual" isn't either. He is the inventor of all the pincer movements ("dialectics") we are caught up in now.

In December someone suggested you help people and here you are at CF helping me with not only your new thread but older ones I'm digging out now. Thank you !!!
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums