It’s a pattern where your mind keeps trying to solve uncertainty — replaying conversations, analyzing decisions, and second-guessing things that have already happened.

For a lot of people, this is tied directly to anxiety.

And even when you know you’re overthinking…
it doesn’t stop.

Many of the people I work with are dealing with exactly this: high-functioning on the outside, but mentally exhausted underneath.

Overthinking can show up in ways that feel constant and hard to shut off:

• replaying conversations long after they’ve ended 
• second-guessing decisions, even small ones 
• trying to predict outcomes or avoid mistakes 
• feeling stuck in loops of “what if” thinking 
• having trouble relaxing, even when nothing is urgent 

It can feel productive in the moment — like you’re getting closer to an answer.

But most of the time, it just keeps the loop going.

Overthinking and anxiety tend to reinforce each other.

Anxiety isn’t just a feeling , it’s a state your nervous system gets pulled into.

When your system is activated, your mind tries to make sense of it.
It scans for problems, looks for answers, and tries to regain control.

That’s where overthinking starts.

And the more you overthink, the more your system stays activated.

Over time, this can start to feel constant - like your mind doesn’t have an “off” switch.

In some cases, this develops into ongoing stress patterns, where anxiety becomes harder to turn off and more persistent day to day.

You can read more about that here: When Anxiety Becomes Chronic Stress

One of the most frustrating parts of overthinking is that it doesn’t respond well to logic.

You can tell yourself:

• “I already figured this out” 
• “This isn’t a big deal” 
• “I need to stop thinking about this” 

…but the thoughts keep coming.

That’s because the issue isn’t just the thoughts, it’s the level of activation underneath them. When your system is still “on,” your mind keeps generating more to match it.

Therapy isn’t about shutting your thoughts down but about understanding what’s driving them and helping your system settle enough that the loops start to loosen.

That might include:

• learning how to step out of overthinking patterns 
• understanding what’s fueling the anxiety underneath 
• creating space between your thoughts and your reactions 
• developing a steadier, more grounded way of responding 

We move at a pace that makes sense — not forcing anything, just helping things begin to shift.

Overthinking is one of the most common ways anxiety shows up.

It can look like replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or feeling mentally stuck in loops that are hard to shut off. If you’re noticing broader patterns — feeling on edge, mentally overloaded, or unable to fully relax — you can read more here:

Anxiety Therapy in Maine

If you’re considering support from home, you can also explore:
Online Therapy in Maine:  

If you’ve been dealing with overthinking and anxiety, and it’s starting to wear you down, you don’t have to keep managing it on your own. Therapy gives you a way to understand what’s happening — and begin to shift the patterns underneath it.

I offer trauma-informed therapy for adults across Maine, both in person in Waterville and through secure telehealth.  Feeling heard is where things begin to shift. From there, we can start making sense of what’s been happening — and move forward in a way that actually feels different.

Additional Articles/Resources:

• “When Anxiety Becomes Chronic Stress” 

• Anxiety Therapy in Maine:  

• Online Therapy in Maine

About Author

 Jon Boschen, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker based in Maine. He works with adults navigating anxiety, overthinking, stress, and life transitions, both in-person in Waterville and through telehealth across the state.