Does a character in you novel have a problem with thinking too much? Below we share some examples of how you might write your character’s affliction through 10 words. Continue reading to get some tips on how to describe overthinking in a story.
1. Rapid
Definition
Something that moves extremely quickly.
Examples
“His thoughts flew through his mind at a rapid pace. Whenever he started overthinking, his mind went at 100mph.”
“Billy’s rapid overthinking never usually caused any issues. But today, he couldn’t concentrate in class.”
How it Adds Description
Sometimes, when a character overthinks, their thoughts might seem to go at an extremely fast pace. You can use the word “rapid” to show how fast the thoughts are flowing, and this can show that the character is becoming stressed. Characters who suffer from “rapid” overthinking might be more anxious than others, and when their stress levels rise, their mind races faster.
2. Non-Stop
Definition
Something that continues without any interruptions.
Examples
“The king’s non-stop thoughts left him lying awake at night. He could never just accept a situation. It was like overthinking was his addiction.”
“After the incident, Bella’s overthinking was non-stop. No matter where she was, she couldn’t bring her mind to the present.”
How it Adds Description
If a character’s overthinking is continuous, you can refer to it as “non-stop.” This shows that they’re struggling to think normally, and it might make them distracted or unable to complete everyday tasks. “Non-stop” overthinking will likely make surrounding characters worried, as they will notice that the character is stuck in their own head.
3. Torturous
Definition
Something extremely painful or causes mental suffering.
Examples
“For Phoebe, overthinking was a torturous hobby. It always left her feeling glum.”
“Nothing is more tortuous than overthinking. I’d rather be left with no thoughts than too many!”
How it Adds Description
If a character is replaying a negative situation in their mind or overthinking a traumatic event, you could describe their overthinking as “torturous.” This shows that the thoughts are causing them mental anguish, and it could lead to them feeling depressed or withdrawing from society.
4. Paralyzing
Definition
Something that leaves you unable to function properly.
Examples
“Everybody knew Jake suffered from paralyzing thoughts. But no one knew just how bad the extent of his overthinking was.”
“Annie’s bout of overthinking was paralyzing. All she did was lay in bed and think about her mistakes.”
How it Adds Description
When a character is overthinking so frequently that they stop performing normal tasks or can’t talk, you can describe the situation as “paralyzing.” This shows that they’re experiencing so much mental stress that they can’t cope with everyday life, and other characters will likely try to get them professional help to assess the problem.
5. Challenging
Definition
Something that required determination and great effort.
Examples
“Overthinking is challenging, but so many of us do it without noticing.”
“I can’t imagine overthinking every single thing in life. It sounds way too challenging.”
How it Adds Description
“Challenging” shows that overthinking is difficult for your character, and it might take up a lot of their mental and physical efforts. If a character is experiencing “challenging” overthinking and is aware of it, they might try self-care or mindfulness techniques to give their brain a break.
6. Curious
Definition
Something odd or slightly strange.
Examples
“Nobody ever understood Charlie’s curious overthinking habit. In a world where everyone accepted the truth, being inquisitive was frowned upon.”
“Ben’s mind was filled with racing thoughts, even though the math problem had a simple answer. His curious overthinking never stopped.”
How it Adds Description
You can show a character’s overthinking is strange, odd, or abnormal through “curious.” If a character often overthinks in a “curious” way, other characters might start to notice and question it. In some cases, a character might be judged or ridiculed for “curiously” overthinking too much.
7. Ceaseless
Definition
Something that continues without changing or stopping.
Examples
“The thoughts in Milo’s mind were ceaseless. He couldn’t remember a time in his life that wasn’t plagued by overthinking.”
“Once the boy handed in his exam, the ceaseless overthinking began.”
How it Adds Description
“Ceaseless” shows that the character’s overthinking either continues all the time or is always about the same subject without changing. This will probably make life very hard for the character, and in desperate situations, they might reach out to loved ones or people they help for comfort.
8. Harmless
Definition
Something that doesn’t have any negative effects.
Examples
“Though his constant thoughts were harmless, the president wished he could kick his overthinking habit.”
“Most overthinking is harmless, but sometimes it can take you to a dark place.”
How it Adds Description
While overthinking can cause a character’s mental distress, it can also be a “harmless” problem. If their overthinking is “harmless,” it likely leaves them unbothered, and they can live their life without extra stress or worries. A character that “harmlessly” overthinks may simply have a quick-witted personality or could be very analytical, and this is why they think more.
9. Everyday
Definition
Something that happens every day or is a normal part of life.
Examples
“Jake’s everyday overthinking was normal to him, but it shocked others frequently.”
“No matter how hard Jenny tried, she couldn’t quiet her mind. Her everyday overthinking habit persisted.”
How it Adds Description
“Everyday” can be used to show how often a character overthinks. It also implies that overthinking is a normal part of their life, which might inhibit them from realizing that it’s not always a healthy behavior. If a character overthinks “every day,” they might be prone to anxiety or have a high-stress job.
10. Alarming
Definition
Something that leaves you anxious or afraid.
Examples
“The little girl’s overthinking was alarming to her parents. They couldn’t understand why she was so stressed at such a young age.”
“Don’t you think your overthinking habit is a little alarming?”
How it Adds Description
If you want to show that your character’s overthinking is starting to make them or others anxious, shocked, or scared, you can use “alarming.” Other people might call the character’s overthinking “alarming” if they don’t understand it or if they see it having negative impacts on the overthinking character’s life. “Alarming” can also show the behavior is not normal for the character, as the word implies the people who have noticed the overthinking are surprised.