📊 Am I Normal?
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🧠 Mental Health

Do I overthink too much?

73% of 25-35 year-olds identify as chronic overthinkers.

Rate each statement 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Your score updates live.

1I replay conversations in my head to analyze what I said wrong.
2I can't let go of mistakes I made years ago.
3I lie awake at night thinking about something I did or said.
4I spend too long deciding between options, even small ones.
5I research obsessively before making any purchase or decision.
6I write and rewrite texts before sending them.
7I consider every possible outcome before taking action.
8I worry about things that haven't happened yet.
9I imagine worst-case scenarios even when things are going well.
10I need reassurance from others that I made the right choice.

What is overthinking?

Overthinking (rumination) is the repetitive, unproductive analysis of past events or future worries. A University of Michigan study found 73% of 25-35 year-olds and 52% of 45-55 year-olds identify as chronic overthinkers.

Three types of overthinking

  • Rumination (items 1-3): Replaying the past — linked to depression and low self-esteem
  • Analysis Paralysis (items 4-7): Decision-freezing and perfectionism — linked to anxiety and procrastination
  • Future Worry (items 8-10): Catastrophizing and worst-case thinking — a core feature of generalized anxiety

Population norms

  • Average score: 30/50 — most people overthink moderately
  • Maximum overthink (top 15%): Score 40+ out of 50
  • Zen mind (bottom 15%): Below 20 — unusually low rumination
  • Women score ~18% higher than men on average (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2003)
  • Overthinking peaks in the 20s and gradually decreases with age

Note: Some reflection is healthy. Overthinking becomes problematic when it blocks action or disrupts sleep.