I look at what I'm concerned with 'not freaked' out because for me, that is not productive....my mind spins and spins and I 'work myself' to the overwhelmed place and don't do anything to resolve the issue.

Then I determine if the 'it' is fact based or not real...projecting about something that probably won't happen. I'm in charge of my own behavior and emotions and what I think.

If the 'it' is fact based I have control over what I 'choose to do about situation'. Make a plan and just deal with the 'it'. This has taken much practice. A saying I learned many years ago: When the pain of where you are is greater than the fear of where you are going, then you will make a change.

Best to you Jenn :)

I think overthinking and projecting is a classic part of bipolar. I overthink about the past and get depressed and then I overthink about the future and become riddled with anxiety (at least in my case). Writing your thoughts down might help. I just started doing it again and its helpful to look back and see where my thoughts take me in the journal. This way I can easily recognize where my thoughts take me and hopefully try to change the narrative.

Overthinking and overwhelm seem to go hand in hand in my brain thus reducing my productivity to nothing on bad days and providing hefty fuel for all the mean voices in my head. I'm well acquainted with the cycle.

I break it by writing down 3 things I want to accomplish today and move forward. I have no problem raising my middle finger over my shoulder to the past and all the junk in my head that keeps talking.

Best advice I ever got: Sometimes you need to be like the people who lose everything in a tornado. Start walking down the road and don't look back!

I’m big on overthinking and have many intrusive thoughts throughout the day, especially at night. My therapist told me to picture a Teflon pan. They are non stick and everything slides off. So picture your thoughts sliding off a Teflon pan and into the trash and close and lock the lid. Or slide them into a garbage disposal and turn it on. She taught me this last week and I use it every night while I try to slow down my brain.

Thank you my friends. I' m so glad we're here for each other. Hugs for everyone.