Anxiety & Overthinking

You may know you're overthinking. You may even recognise that the amount of worry doesn't quite fit the situation.

But knowing that doesn't necessarily stop your mind from replaying conversations, questioning decisions, anticipating what could go wrong or trying to think its way towards certainty.

You can be completely aware of what you're doing and still find it difficult to switch off.

That can be frustrating, particularly when you're usually someone who is capable of working things out.

Anxiety and overthinking can look different for everyone

You might find yourself:

• replaying conversations and wondering what you should have said

• thinking ahead to everything that could go wrong

• second-guessing decisions you've already made

• looking for reassurance that everything will be okay

• finding it difficult to tolerate uncertainty

• mentally preparing for situations over and over

• feeling unable to relax until something has been resolved

• knowing logically that you're okay, but not feeling convinced.

Sometimes trying harder to solve the worry can become part of what keeps it going.

We look at how the pattern works

At Saltbush, the focus isn't simply on telling you to think positively or stop worrying.

We'll become curious about what happens when anxiety appears.

Where does your attention go? What does your mind try to solve? What do you do to feel safer or more certain? Does that help in the longer term, or does it pull you further into the cycle?

Strategic psychotherapy helps us understand how the pattern is operating now and identify places where a different response may be possible.

Clinical hypnosis can also be used to help rehearse and reinforce those different responses in a focused, receptive state.

You remain aware and in control throughout.

What change might look like

The aim isn't to become someone who never worries.

It might mean being able to notice an anxious thought without immediately following it.

Making a decision without endlessly revisiting it.

Allowing some uncertainty without needing to solve it straight away.

Stepping back from repetitive thinking and returning your attention to what is actually happening now.

In other words, having more choice in how you respond.

You don't need to have it all worked out before you come

You don't need a diagnosis or a perfect explanation for why you feel the way you do.

We can start with what is happening now.