Private help, by video
Overthinking
What it feels like, what helps, and how to see a psychiatrist privately by video from anywhere in Nigeria, with the fee shown before you book.
Signs to look for
Overthinking
- Replaying conversations or past mistakes over and over
- Worrying about the future and expecting the worst
- Lying awake at night unable to switch your mind off
- Finding it hard to make decisions, even small ones
- Feeling tense, restless, irritable or tired most days
Overthinking is getting stuck in thought: replaying a conversation again and again, worrying about something that has not happened, or turning a decision over for days. Everyone does it sometimes, especially after a shock such as a breakup, being cheated on, losing a job or a frightening diagnosis. It becomes a problem when it takes up hours of your day, keeps you awake at night, stops you deciding or acting, or leaves you tense and exhausted. Overthinking is not a diagnosis on its own, but it is the central feature of generalised anxiety disorder, and it is common in depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and after trauma. It also feeds on poor sleep, caffeine, alcohol and endless scrolling. The good news is that it responds well to treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) teaches practical ways to notice the loop and step out of it, and when anxiety or depression is behind it, a psychiatrist can treat that directly.
Calmsprings Health. Therapy and counselling led by psychiatrists: anxiety, marriage, burnout. Start with a free private check.Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Replaying conversations or past mistakes over and over
- Worrying about the future and expecting the worst
- Lying awake at night unable to switch your mind off
- Finding it hard to make decisions, even small ones
- Feeling tense, restless, irritable or tired most days
- Headaches, a tight chest or a racing heart when you start worrying
- Seeking reassurance from others again and again
When to See a Doctor
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, go to the nearest emergency department or call 112. To talk to someone now, call the SURPIN suicide prevention helpline on 0800 078 7746 (free, 24 hours). If you have chest pain or breathlessness for the first time, get it checked by a doctor or at a hospital to rule out a heart or lung cause. See a psychiatrist if overthinking or worry is present most days for several weeks, keeps you from sleeping, working or enjoying anything, comes with low mood or panic attacks, or if you are relying on alcohol, sleeping tablets or other drugs to switch off.
Treatment options
- Setting aside a short worry time each day, and postponing worries to it
- Writing worries down, and separating the ones you can act on from the ones you cannot
- Breathing exercises, relaxation and mindfulness to calm the body
- Cutting down caffeine, energy drinks and alcohol, and keeping a regular sleep time
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the most effective talking treatment for anxiety
- Medication such as an SSRI when anxiety or depression is persistent, prescribed by a psychiatrist
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
How do I stop overthinking at night?
Keep a regular bedtime, put your phone away an hour before, avoid caffeine after midday, and write your worries down before bed so your mind can let go of them. If you cannot sleep after about twenty minutes, get up and do something calm until you feel sleepy. If it happens most nights for weeks, speak to a professional.
Is overthinking a mental illness?
Not on its own. Everyone overthinks sometimes. When it is constant, hard to control and affects your sleep, work or relationships, it is often generalised anxiety disorder, which is common and treatable.
How do I stop overthinking after being cheated on?
Replaying it is a normal response to a betrayal, and it usually eases with time. Talking to someone you trust, limiting how often you check their social media, and looking after your sleep all help. If it is not easing after a few weeks, or you feel hopeless, talking therapy helps, alone or as a couple.
Can I get help privately, by video?
Yes. A psychiatrist can assess you by private video call, and therapy courses for anxiety are run by video too. Nothing is shared with your employer, family or church without your consent.
Need Help?
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Book a video consultation →Ask for a private call back →Calmsprings course: Calm Mind →Free private anxiety and depression check →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). NHS. Patient information.
- Anxiety: Every Mind Matters. NHS. Patient information.
- Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (CG113). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 5 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.