{"id":6971,"date":"2026-05-22T09:38:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T09:38:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/?p=6971"},"modified":"2026-05-22T09:59:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T09:59:28","slug":"excessive-worry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/excessive-worry\/","title":{"rendered":"Excessive worry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong><strong>Taula de contiguts<\/strong><\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-normal-worry\">What is normal worry?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#when-does-worry-become-excessive\">When does worry become excessive?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-differences-between-normal-and-pathological-worry\">Key differences between normal and pathological worry<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-does-excessive-worry-persist\">Why does excessive worry persist?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-can-be-done\">What can be done?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#when-is-it-advisable-to-seek-professional-help\">When is it advisable to seek professional help?<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We all worry. Before an exam or a job interview, when a child is sick, or when faced with a major change. Worry is a universal mental process that is part of life and that, on many occasions, can be useful, as it helps us anticipate problems, organize ourselves, and prepare to face difficult situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what happens when worry is constant and takes up almost all our time? When it causes distress or dosen\u2019t allow us to enjoy daily life? In these cases, worry becomes excessive and loses its usefulness; it can even become pathological.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-normal-worry\">What is normal worry?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Normal worry is considered a typical, natural, and adaptive cognitive response to a specific situation that is uncertain or potentially problematic. It is, therefore, a type of anticipatory thinking with a clear function: to help us prepare for what may happen, plan, and solve problems without causing significant distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, it is common to think about monthly expenses and how to manage them if we want to save money, to plan how to handle an important meeting at work and review what we\u2019ll say, or, if we haven\u2019t been feeling well for a few days, to consider making an appointment with the doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This type of worry has several key characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It has an identifiable cause.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is temporary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its intensity is proportional to the situation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It allows us to continue with daily life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It decreases or disappears when the problem is resolved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this sense, worrying is not only normal, but it can also be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-does-worry-become-excessive\">When does worry become excessive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Excessive worry is different. It is a pattern of repetitive, persistent, intense thinking that is difficult to control. It often appears even when there is no real danger or focuses on future problems or threats in a way that is disproportionate to the situation, causing significant distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing with the previous examples, a sign of excessive worry might include repeatedly thinking about how to save money to avoid ending up broke and living on the street; constantly reviewing a meeting in your mind for fear of making mistakes and thinking this could lead to being fired; or interpreting a symptom as a sign of a serious illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People who suffer from it may feel that their mind does not \u201cstop,\u201d as if they\u2019re constantly anticipating problems. Some warning signs that indicate worry is excessive include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Worrying about many things at once.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintaining the worry for weeks or months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Having difficulty \u201cswitching off\u201d from the thoughts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worrying even during moments of rest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling intense emotional distress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Noticing that worry interferes with work, family, or relationships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, physical and emotional symptoms often appear, such as constant nervousness or a feeling of being on alert, muscle tension (tightness or stiffness), difficulty falling asleep or frequent awakenings, digestive problems, irritability, fatigue, or a sense of loss of control. Excessive worry is also a central feature of anxiety disorders, especially generalized anxiety disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/normal-and-pathological-worry.jpg\" alt=\"Differences between normal and pathological worry\" class=\"wp-image-6975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/normal-and-pathological-worry.jpg 567w, https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/normal-and-pathological-worry-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-differences-between-normal-and-pathological-worry\">Key differences between normal and pathological worry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main difference is not so much whether we worry or not, but rather how, how much, and with what impact we do so. Normal worry is linked to specific situations and remains within certain limits, while excessive worry tends to generalize, is more intense, and persists over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A simple way to detect excessive worry is to observe whether worry stops being helpful and starts to affect daily life, causing emotional distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to assess it, you can answer these questions. During the last few weeks\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do you think about the same problem many times a day?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you find it hard to stop worrying, even when you try?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is your worry disproportionate to the real situation?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it cause physical symptoms (tension, insomnia, nervousness\u2026)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it make it hard to concentrate, rest, or enjoy yourself?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it affect your daily life (studies, work, relationships)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you answered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>0\u20132 \u201cyes\u201d: it is probably normal worry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3\u20134 \u201cyes\u201d: you are in an intermediate zone; it may be helpful to observe how it develops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5\u20136 \u201cyes\u201d: it could indicate excessive worry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-does-excessive-worry-persist\">Why does excessive worry persist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several factors that can contribute to maintaining this type of worry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The need to have everything under control or low tolerance for uncertainty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The belief that worrying is \u201cdoing something\u201d about the problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Previous experiences of stress or difficult situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The tendency to imagine the worst-case scenario.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The feeling that worrying is less painful than feeling fear, sadness, or uncertainty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people feel that worrying helps them stay prepared and can make them feel better in the short term. However, in the long term, this pattern can increase anxiety and create a cycle that is difficult to break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-can-be-done\">What can be done?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are practical strategies that can help better manage excessive worry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Differentiate between within what is our control and what is not.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set limits on the time spent worrying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write down your thoughts to organize them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice breathing or relaxation techniques.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take action: if you can do something, no matter how small, do it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain healthy habits: rest, exercise, and social life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, it is not always easy to do it alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-is-it-advisable-to-seek-professional-help\">When is it advisable to seek professional help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is advisable to consult a mental health professional when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Worry interferes with daily life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are sleep problems or persistent physical symptoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You feel like you can&#8217;t control your thoughts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The situation persists over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Receiving help can allow you to better understand what is happening and learn tools to manage it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Worrying is human and, in many cases, useful. The problem arises when worry stops serving its purpose and becomes a source of suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning to distinguish between normal and excessive worry is the first step to regaining calm and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you feel that worry is affecting your daily life, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/\">seeking professional help<\/a> is not a sign of weakness but an important way of taking care of yourself. You can contact us to arrange an initial appointment or to address any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Xisca Rossell\u00f3<br>General Health Psychologist<br>Col. N.\u00ba B2208<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all worry. Before an exam or a job interview, when a child is sick, or when faced with a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-psychology"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/excessive-worry.jpg",1200,800,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Instituto Psicolog\u00eda Sexolog\u00eda","author_link":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"We all worry. Before an exam or a job interview, when a child is sick, or when faced with a [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6971"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6976,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6971\/revisions\/6976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.psicologiasexologiamallorca.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}