Do you need professional assistance to help break your habit of chronic worrying? Our psychologists are happy to provide further support. Contact them on 085-1308900 or online.
Chronic worrying
We all worry. Some of us worry that we’re worrying too much. So, what exactly is chronic worrying? What does that even mean? Why do we keep repeating the same thoughts over and over again? In this article, you’ll find the answers to all these questions.
What Is Chronic Worrying?
Chronic worrying is a mental process which causes repetitive thoughts or makes you perpetually overthink certain scenarios. Whether it’s past experiences, concerns about the future, or anxiety related to awkward encounters; there’s a wide range of things that can trigger it.
While you’re worrying, you’re usually trying to find a solution to your problem. You want to make the best possible choice. But chronic worrying actually makes it really difficult to work out what you should do. You never come up with a solution, which means you remain trapped in a cycle of repetitive thinking. This overthinking can even lead to insomnia.
Why Do I Worry?
Worrying gives you a sense of control. You’re essentially trying to avoid uncomfortable emotions. Things you don’t want to deal with. Instead of examining a particular emotion, you overthink and keep replaying certain scenarios in your mind.
Worrying also makes you feel like you’re tackling your problems. You might keep asking yourself, “What if?”, for example, “What if I fail my driving test?”. You’re worrying to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario. This gives you a sense of control over the situation.
However, when you’re trying to make the best choice or find a solution to your problem, a “what if” thought can really stop your brain in its tracks. It actually shatters your sense of control. You keep thinking about all the ways you’re not fully in command of a particular situation. These repetitive thoughts develop into chronic worrying.
You might also worry about:
- An important meeting at work
- An exam you need to pass
- The best way you can help others
- Making decisions
Causes of Chronic Worrying
Chronic worrying can be caused by a range of different circumstances and the way you handle them. It’s often the result of stress and burnout brought on by overworking. Chronic worrying could also be caused by a fear of failure, daydreaming, or a particularly unpleasant event. Perpetually overthinking can lead you to hold on to negative thoughts and emotions. You’re particularly likely to experience this if you’re currently suffering from a lot of stress.
Stress isn’t necessarily the cause of chronic worrying, but it’s often a contributing factor when you’re experiencing unpleasant thoughts and emotions.
It’s important to establish the cause of your chronic worrying. This can help you to get it under control and, ultimately, reduce the amount of time you spend worrying. Sometimes it’s pretty difficult to determine a single cause because it’s actually the result of several different factors. So, do you want to know what chronic worrying is and what causes it? Try to figure out when you experience (excessive) stress and how you handle it in the moment.
Our psychologists can help you to determine the cause. We’ll help you to get your chronic worrying under control, so that moving forward you’ll be better at managing it.
Chronic Worrying as an Anxiety Disorder
In some cases, you may find yourself worrying to an unusually intense degree. Do you experience extreme levels of anxiety in your daily life, even when not faced with an immediate threat? Do you worry excessively and suffer from heart palpations, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, and a choking sensation? Chronic worrying is often associated with generalized anxiety disorder.
If you suspect this may be the case for you, we’d recommend getting in touch with your primary care practitioner. You can also chat with one of our psychologists. They can give you tips to help you manage your anxiety symptoms and offer you general advice.
How to Stop Chronic Worrying
Do you feel like you worry too often and that you’re struggling to break the habit? Why not try our handy tips to stop chronic worrying or speak to one of our psychologists? Breaking this habit will help you sleep better and concentrate on other tasks. Often, all you need to do is make some small lifestyle adjustments.
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Worrying is not classified as a psychological disorder according to the DSM-5 guidelines. Therefore, the treatment costs are not reimbursed. However, if a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is established and you have a referral letter from your GP, the costs will be covered.
FAQ
What if worrying mostly happens at night?
Many people find that worrying mainly starts when they lie in bed. Your body begins to relax, but your mind becomes active. We help you develop evening routines, relaxation techniques, and ways to shift these moments so your mind can calm down.
Is worrying the same as wanting to stay in control?
Worrying is often your brain’s attempt to gain control over something that feels uncertain. It may feel like you are “thinking ahead,” but it rarely solves anything. In therapy, you’ll learn to distinguish between constructive and non-constructive thoughts.
How do I know if worrying is a symptom of something bigger?
If worrying thoughts interfere with your daily functioning, negatively affect your mood, or occur alongside other complaints such as fatigue, sadness, or anxiety, then there is often more going on. Together, we will carefully assess this.
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How to End Chronic Worrying
Chronic worrying is when you find yourself repeatedly thinking the same thoughts or replaying certain scenarios over and over again. You’re trying to process your emotions, but it doesn’t seem to be working. It’s making you restless, unhappy and maybe even causing you stress. The following tips can help you to break a habit of chronic worrying.
Get help from a Chronic worrying psychologist
Contact one of our psychologists today without obligation. You can talk about feelings and symptoms. In addition, you will receive information about a suitable treatment that suits you.
- Reimbursed healthcare with a rating of 9+
- Direct help without long waiting times
- Free, no-obligation treatment advice