I Over-Analyze Everything

Reader’s Question

My problem is very confusing, and I can’t find any information on what to do in this kind of situation. The primary problem is that I don’t really enjoy anything anymore, but it feels like it’s more than depression, because I feel very justified in my lack of happiness. I think it is mostly based on the fact that I over-analyze things to the point where they all feel vapid and empty. There’s so much more to it, but that’s where the basic problem comes from.

For example, take a beautiful song or piece of artwork. I would analyze it to the point where I’m just like “It’s nothing more than a collection of colors or notes, and there is no kind of intrinsic magic in them. They’re only arranged in ways to make you feel a certain way” and in knowing this, I cannot feel the way I’m supposed to.

I’d like to get over this over-analyzing problem because it is really holding me back in all aspects of my life. On the other hand though, I feel that if I’m not doing this then I’m living a life of blind ignorance. I’m sorry if I didn’t verbalize this well enough, but it’s extremely difficult for me and I look forward to a reply.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

I’m picking up two issues here. First, you’ve probably always been hypercritical, directed toward issues outside you (people, art, music, work, etc.) — and directed toward yourself. We often become hypercritical if we were raised in a very stressful family situation or with hypercritical parents. In high stress homes, we develop over-analyzing as a self-protection — hoping to analyze situations carefully so they won’t cause us trouble. Being hypercritical is more than pessimism — it’s being unable to accept things at face value and enjoy them. In reality, everything is made of stardust — but it doesn’t make sense to reduce a rose, a loved one, a sunset, or a snowflake to that level.

You may also be experiencing a depression. A loss of interest, lack of pleasure in things, and inability to see joy is common in depression. Depressed folks not only over-analyze, but their mind goes 100 mph, and they think catastrophically. Depressed brains contaminate our thoughts and over-work until they have pulled the joy, interest, and motivation from our daily experiences. If you’ve always been an over-analyzer — depression makes it even work. Depression and stress amplify our normal personality characteristics so you may actually be triple-analyzing now. For you, the question isn’t if the glass is half full or half empty, it’s why bother thinking about that since we’ll all going to die in a meteor impact anyway.

I’d first address the possibility of depression. Review the signs of depression — sleep/appetite/concentration/energy problems, mind racing, crying spells, etc. If depression is here, I’d consult with a family physician or psychiatrist. If you’ve got one of those negative personalities, counseling is recommended. Life isn’t made to be analyzed this much. Your situation is very treatable.