Worrying is a symptom that can occur in many different problem areas. For example, it can be part of depression as well as anxiety disorder. Like the versatility of the symptom, there are many different definitions of brooding. Yet we find the same elements in all these definitions: constant thinking without reaching a solution, preoccupation and suffering. Thus, brooding can be defined as a constant loop of thinking about one particular issue or several issues without reaching a solution; this preoccupation leads to significant suffering in the one or more areas of life.
Preoccupation symptoms? The lack of a solution?
Thus, brooding usually does not result in a solution because your thoughts "race" through your brain too fast, which makes your thought process skip that part of the brain that is responsible for finding solution. This explains why brooding can also be viewed as a kind of vicious cycle, which often gets worse and worse.
Moreover, over time the symptom can occupy more and more space in our daily lives. For example, it regularly occurs in various problem areas that one does not only worry about 1 subject, but that this leads to worrying about more and more subjects. This of course also affects other mechanisms such as our self-image, our mood, our psychological and physical well-being, which can sometimes lead to worse problems. Examples of these problems include depression and anxiety, but also burnout or even physical problems such as neck pain, headaches,....
Treating worrying? How do you tackle worrying?
Worrying can grow into an unhealthy habit, which can take up a lot of space in your daily life. 15Minutes4Me.com is an online self-help program, which guides you daily in how to learn to recognize such unhealthy habits and replace them with healthy ones, in order to build more happiness into your life.
Worrying? Take the test!
Would you like to know to what extent brooding and possible consequences of brooding can affect your daily life? Then take the free self-test here!
