Overthinking is a mental cycle where thoughts loop endlessly, often causing exhaustion rather than insight. It frequently appears as rumination, where a person continuously revisits past events, or catastrophizing, where they obsess over worst-case scenarios. Psychologists identify it as a form of cognitive distortion, reinforcing negativity and hesitation. Those prone to overthinking may experience decision paralysis, struggling to take action due to excessive doubts about potential outcomes. This pattern is commonly linked to conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where intrusive thoughts become overwhelming. Recognizing one's personal thought tendencies is the first step toward overcoming overthinking and achieving mental clarity.