What causes people to over-analyze situations and how many people do it?

I do the same thing all the time. And no, I don't think that you need a psychiatrist!! LOL! Not at all ^_^ I do think that it is more of a female thing to think and feel and behave this way. I am just really into trying to analyze every aspect of my life. I'm not sure if I do it down to the detail that you do, but I constantly lay in bed going over what I could say or do or what I've said and done and how others might have perceived it. It is partly from not wanting to be hurt, yes, as you said. I'm a very sensitive and shy person, and I really don't like confrontation, and analyzing things and trying to take the best course is one way to try to avoid bad things happening like confrontations.

It's not just you. My mind talks to itself also.LOL! I'm pretty much self taught when it comes to discussions,disagreements,conflicts etc. Communication wasn't a positive thing with my family. My foot can fit in my mouth, its' been done in the past, so thats one reason why I analyze. I am sensitive to my own feelings but more sensitive as to how I make a person feel. Bite your toung but don't bite it off. Good Luck Sarahbeth.

First of all a quick reply to the burning problem that you are facing: It is nice to listen that you try to figure out each possible outcome. It is not just you but every individual thinks like that, ( "I do not want to get hurt"). Playing out conversations is natural so far and so long it does not get into a murmuring habbit. Anyway coming back to your first point, it is a good practice if you can limit such analysis to one or two subject of your interest, like for anyone interested in webpublishing must analyse the performance of his/her websites in search engines. An Engineer needs to analyse the possible outcome of a design change. Likewise, A Brand Mktg. Manager needs to analyse the outcome while branding a product. But those analysis must follow a certain logic. It must have substancial issues. But like you have said, if you go on thinking on every single happening around you, if you try to figure out the outcomes whenever something, even trivial, happens, then it requires a serious thought. Regarding this I read a nice book and want to share with you. Whenever something happens, just classify the importance of the happening. Either in the category: 1) Does it make any difference? (DMAD) or, 2) It makes a lot of difference. (IMAD) What are the "does it make any difference (DMAD)" like incidents? Try put things in this category as much as is possible. Most of the things in our life , about 99.99%, does not make any difference. So, simply ignore them without thinking of the outcome. For example, when you go to shop, you may have to wait for few minutes before the goods are delivered. Do not get irritated if that does not really pose any major problem. Simply ignore that. Forget that it happened anytime. It will stop thought processes relating to rather non-serious issues. Focus more on serious issues, may be, personal or academic or professional or social issues. As you can think of the outcome, you can help yourself, your friends and even the society as a whole if you use this power in proper way. It is a blessing in disguise. Use it as a weapon and do not over-use it. Hope this will help you a lot to come out of the situation you are at present.

Well if you need a psychiatrist then I do to I think we all do this and sometimes when a situation occurs you think of everything you would have like to have done or said. i believe it is a female thing.

People generally over analyze because they care so much. They are hesitant to take that littile risk and also because they think more from heart rather than mind. Analyzing is good but overanalyzing is root for tension and it tends to spoil things.

I've read a while back that over-analyzers come from dominant fathers and indecisive mothers...not sure if this applies to you. But I think you pretty much answered your own question on why you do it. I analyze sometimes, but I've found that going with your instinct is a far better choice than analyzing and choosing with the mind who can't ever make up it's mind!

wow i do this all the time... i do it more often especially if i want to tell something to anybody, or i want to discuss over something with someone... i would have thought of thousands of questions and thousands of answers possible, the best part is that the discussion might get over just right through, or even better the situations change and i would not have to tell them anything more :D

I am an over analyzer. For this reason, nobody likes to watch tv or movies with me, because I am always like..."whatever, there is no way that can happen..." and such....lol........so I understand what your saying.

I suppose it's a fear thing. I'm not an over-analyzer (I should probably analyze more)but I don't think I have a terrible fear of getting hurt. I think that in many instances you're first reaction (your gut reaction) is correct. I'm a female, so I don't think it's just a female thing. I've known men who were that way too. My advice, for what it's worth, is to practice letting yourself go with the first reaction you have in situations. It may be scary and you may get hurt, but then, something wonderful might happen too. No risk, no gain.

I do do this, but my wife does. She over thinks everything. I do believe that it is because she doesn't want to get hurt, which I totally understand. I really don't think that there is anything wrong with over thinking stuff. I think that the only reason how it could possibly be bad is if it start to interfear with you life. If you are starting to not get tasks done then you need to because you are over thinking stuff, then I think you may need to talk to someone. But if it is not then I think you are okay, just think away!

I am the same way too. I am a perfectionist and because of that I am afraid to try something because of being afraid of making a mistake. I have missed out on a lot due to that unfortunately.

Hey, I get exactly where you are coming from. It must be a female thing. lol I do the same thing. Sometimes I think, that I think to much! A psychiatrist? For what for you to tell them this and ask "what's wrong with me"? and for them to ask "what do you think is wrong with you"? lol No, I think you are normal!

The will to succede leads to over analysis of a situation. The fear of failure may also be the reason for overanalysis. Over analysis can be an advantage by ensuring success but suck up loat of energy. Thus we have to analyse a situation not over analyse.

I understand why you are acting that way... I, sometimes feel the same way... still wondering if it is more of a woman's side coz I rarely see guys to act like that way, unless of course there is something wrong. People do things coz they are just reacting to the environment or how situations asked for it. In my opinion, you just dont want to get hurt, like I said I feel the same way too... I hate being cheated as I am so honest to goodness loyal and for whatever and however, I expected the same thing too.. and it is not hard to ask from your boyfriend or girlfriend or freinds right? I mean, just dont hurt other people and that's it. No you dont need a psychiatrist, I guess you just need a friend who are willing to listen to you. I am here for you.

naah its not a just a female thing. my boyfriend does it all the time

I do the same thing all the time. And no, No way do I think that you need a psychiatrist. Not at all, But I do think that it is more of a female thing to think and feel and behave this way, i have never heard of any males that do this.

I guess you shouldn't do that...ofcourse sometimes preparation in what you want to say is ok but thinkin much about it is not...Let it flow to your system and dont think much...

They want to take their minds off their own shortcomings. It makes them feel superior.

no i dont think its just a female thing cos even i do it. what i perceive is that we want to prepare ourselves for all kinds of situations as we simulate such situations in our mind and there is nothing wrong or mad about it.

I think everyone does this. It's common to think about what could happen, unless you're really someone who is so carefree that you wouldn't care what happens with your actions. As you know, in every action there is an equal amount of reaction, so I think it's pretty mature for a person to analyze first before doing something. But over analyzing is another thing. I think it's an insecurity or having a few of something dreadful. It's more of being overly assumptive to the point of blocking yourself from experiencing life. I am usually this type of person too. Until I met my partner. I tend to overly think to the point of spending my whole day thinking instead of just living my life. You should try that too. You should give yourself a break for a few days in a month to just be 'yourself' and stop thinking of the outcomes. Of course, there are decisions that need thorough thinking but there are simple decisions of day-to-day that doesn't require thorough thinking. As nike would say.. JUST DO IT!