Excessive worrying is thinking about a problem or something unpleasant, without coming to a solution.
Before I do anything, I think about it three times.
People are naturally inclined to look for solutions to problems. Excessive worrying does not appear to be the best method for this. And precisely because it does not solve the problems, you start worrying even more: negative thoughts trigger new negative thoughts. Worrying is almost automatic but it takes a lot of energy and can consume all your concentration or sleep.
Worrying thoughts are recurring negative thoughts about problems or things that you experience as negative. They may be about something that has happened, about something that is yet to happen or about something that you fear will happen. Worrying thoughts are nagging thoughts that do not lead to a solution. They can come in forms such as these:
Excessive worrying makes you tense, afraid, angry and sad. It causes sleepless nights and consumes an immense amount of energy.
Excessive worrying is not only a physiological problem that affects your hormones and your stress response. It also causes you to be anxious and less willing to take steps towards a solution.
Excessive worrying can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. It can also be a feature of depression, generalised anxiety disorder or other psychological disorders. In addition, you may also have other complaints such as gloominess, apathy or a loss of joy in life.
I have a planned moment of worrying every evening and then I write down my anxious thoughts.
By learning to control your thoughts, you gain more control over your behaviour. To think differently is to act differently. Below you will find a number of tips and techniques that can help you to break through your anxious thoughts.
Do not feel guilty if some tips do not work immediately. Keep repeating them. The more you stop anxious thoughts in the beginning, the better you become at controlling them. Training pays off.
I am glad that I sought help for my problems. It was good that I could finally talk to someone about them.
Can't stop worrying? Remember, you are not alone. Talk to someone close to you who you trust and feel comfortable with. It can be a great relief and helps you to put things together. You can also take the step to help together.
If you don’t immediately have the courage to tell someone in your direct surroundings, then try to approach someone who is familiar with similar experiences, such as a GP or a student counsellor at your college or university.
You can also anonymously contact Awel (102 or via www.awel.be) or Tele-Onthaal (106 or via tele-onthaal.be), or the Suicide line (1813 or zelfmoordlijn1813) for questions regarding suicidal thoughts.
Do you feel that the tips are not helping you enough? Then it is important to seek (professional) counselling. There are various training programmes in which you learn to deal with excessive worrying. You can break through the negative spiral of thoughts.
Have you noticed that a friend worries too much? Though you may not know what to say or do, it is important to start a conversation. By expressing your concern, you can discuss the problem.
Weg van het piekeren. (Dutch)
Repetitive negative thinking understanding and treating rumination and worrying
Hoe constructief is piekeren (Dutch)
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