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Overanalysing and worrying about hyperfixations
Amy22
Posts: 4,869 The Mix Elder
I always find myself overanalysing every single thing I do. My stupid bloody anxiety gets in the way of everything, its why I can never do some of the things I love at the moment. I don't know, lately I found a recent new obession of mine, a new horror film which I wanted to study as part of my college project. But my brain kept telling me that I was cheating and that I am a fraud for doing so. I tend to get these silly overwhelming thoughts like these. Also, whenever I have a hyperfixation, I often find that whenever I have a new hyperfixation, I can get so hyperfixated it can make me feel overstimulated sometimes. I don't know this week, I just feel tired and low. Why do I have to keep overanalysing everything, why do I have to be stupid all the time. Why is my brain saying you can't use that as research, that's cheating. This all sucks and I want it to go away. 
Just a person who likes pop culture and films
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Comments
Its certainly not cheating to do an assignment on something thats a hyperfixation. For example I love penguins ,i have since i was little so every time i had the opportunity to pick my topic i figured out some way to include penguins. I now realise penguins were a hyperfixation of mine. But using my knowledge and enthusiasm certainly isnt cheating.
Part of learning is incorperating the things we enjoy. If you loved on the planets, and had to do a presentation on space would that count as cheating. I know hyperfixations are more intense but i assure you, youre not cheating.
Theres many scholars and proffessors whos field of research is something that is stemmed from a hyperfixation of theirs.
And sometimes hyperfixations can be overwhelming and consuming. But in this case its an asset ,so maybe using it to the best of your advantage is very fair on you.
I definitely dont think your cheating. Because hyperfixations can have down sides, and youre struggling with other things too. So to me doing a project on something youve done alot of research on already sounds like a kind thing to do for yourself.
You are not a fraud. I know brains can be mean, so we'll remind you how awesome you are whenever you need us to.
Big hugs
Other than that I think everything @SpaceOtter said is great advice and makes a lot of sense. I really wanna echo the fact that you aren't a fraud and you aren't being stupid, we can't help it when it feels like our minds turn against us.
Sending lots of hugs
You can consider one psychological approach, which is to try and challenge these negative thoughts. For example, when your brain says you’re cheating by studying a horror film, you can ask yourself why you should believe this. Which part of this is cheating? Isn’t it a valid choice for your project? Or is it against the regulation? By challenging the automatic negative thoughts, you will have a clear answer for yourself. It’ll also be helpful to remind yourself of times when you have successfully completed projects and achieved goals, even when you were anxious or overwhelmed. Wish you good luck with the project! And we’re here to support you!
I'd say that with my overthinking, it tends to be minor things that happen or affect me in my routine. Sometimes I can overthink a situation to the point where it can make me feel anxious.
I relate to this. Something that helps me is questioning my overthinking when it's something small. For example this morning I was overthinking opening the egg boiler machine because I nearly burnt myself opening it the other day and it was making me really anxious (ik it sounds so stupid). But then I was questioning my overthinking and saying to myself 'Ok what's the worst that could happen? If you're quickly opening it then why would u burn urself? You're hungry so open the machine' and in the end I did it and didn't burn myself! Idk if that makes any sense lol but maybe u can try it?
Hi I'm feeling a little bit okay today, I have been feeling a bit moody I don't know why. I guess I can be stupid when it comes to overthinking
Thank you so much. I guess I'm feeling a bit more better now than I was a while ago. I think it may have been related to college stress and sorting out my work stuff for college.
College has been okay so far, I have felt like I have been a bit behind on my coursework as I keep seeing everyone doing their work and they are always nearly done. I feel like the only person behind with their work. I don't know at the moment I think i am being lazy and I need to start working on my project.
Hi @Laura_tigger82 I feel like I am in a much better place now than where I was. I think the thought of the deadline was what was making me anxious. But I've managed to complete my work on time and I feel happier than now.