How do you stop yourself over analyzing things.

[Sue1959]

How can I stop over analyzing things. I wake up at night thinking about things that have happened during the day, like wondering why someone ignored me (when they probably didn't realize they did and were just socializing with others), should I have said that to someone, should I have done that etc.

I try and tell myself that the people involved probably didn't notice but I find it hard to let go.

[fiftyofsomethin]

Same, buddy!

 

It's just a process.

[FitChick]

Are you a Virgo?

[GorillaTheater]

I think that this sort of thing stems from a desire to control outcomes. Once you realize that you have very little if any control over outcomes, and absolutely zero control over other people and what they think/how they react, you won't spend nearly as much time worrying about this sort of thing.

 

The only person you can control is you.

[LurkerXX]

Sometimes it is just a personality-based thing. I just try to give my brain more substantial detailed orientated stuff to munch on. Like reviewing and learning more math and statistics concepts and methods (which are relevant to my work). It does not always stop the over-analysis in regards to things I can't change. But with a little discipline (conscious habit building), I have been able to interrupt rumination much more quickly. It could be something as simple as getting together a summer reading list, if you are a reader. Just as long as you send your brain to something either productive, or even just enjoyable. I have also sought treatment for depression, which helped with it being overwhelming. Now its up to me to find strategies to deal with it.

[Feelin Frisky]

You may be like hundreds of millions of others, maybe even billions, hell most everyone who is not chemically perfect in your brain. There is a vast segment of the population who tend to seize on things and their minds work in a loop where the problem keeps coming around and each time they, or rather we, myself included, add a level of frustration to it so that next time it comes around it has escalated a degree into a grudge, a pre-occupation, or even an obsession. It is not normal to be perfect. In fact it is normal to be imperfect. Science and medicine have come up with preparations that help us sharpen our perceptions--not escape them as was once the common thing to do with a sedative. I have found through my use the class of medication called SSSRIs that I am able to catch myself falling into ruminating about negative things. Analysis is good if it's placed on things that don't result in feelings of persecution or disgust without remedy. It may be hard to find this objectivity on one's own--in my case it was impossible and no one could tell me what or how to think. Except for my prescribing physician all anyone could tell me is to throw myself into church and beg for divine deliverance. Hold your breath for that and you will die. Experiment with the aid of a doctor of psychiatric medicine. There's stigma only in the minds of the illiterate and ignorant. And less and less each day. I doubt I'd be alive if not for the help to manage my mind and put my feelings into healthy proportions. Good luck.