Based on the provided information, overthinking, often associated with anxiety, does not directly cause psychosis in the most literal sense.
Understanding the Relationship
The provided reference clarifies the distinction between anxiety (which can involve overthinking) and psychosis. While overthinking can be a symptom of anxiety, and both can impact a person's mental state, they are not the same.
According to the reference:
- "Anxiety cannot directly cause “psychosis” in the most literal sense."
- However, anxiety can lead to subjective experiences that might feel like losing touch with reality. The reference states it "can, however, cause people to feel like they might be “going crazy” – and in many ways."
Anxiety vs. Psychosis
Although anxiety does not directly cause psychosis, the two conditions can share some similarities in how they might feel subjectively or manifest in certain ways.
Key points from the reference:
- "Both anxiety and psychosis also share some similarities."
- A crucial difference highlighted is awareness: "Someone that does is truly losing touch with reality often is not aware of this loss." This implies that while someone with severe anxiety or overthinking might feel like they are losing control or "going crazy," someone experiencing literal psychosis often lacks this awareness.
In summary, while overthinking and anxiety can be distressing and lead to feelings of losing control, they do not directly cause clinical psychosis according to the reference.
