Hardcore Guilt over things that don't even matter

[MediaGord]

This isn't physical but mental health.  I feel guilty and sick to my stomach over thigns very easily.  Even though I can think logically that there's no sense in worrying about it, or I should forget it, a thought will stick so hard that I can go about my day and have it lingering in the back of my mind and when I start to focus on it get sick to my stomach.  This gets really frustrating because it keeps me from feeling happy about life even though things in my life are going great!.  I want to focus on the greater good.  Keeping myself happy and making others happy.  That's it.  These stupid thoughts I get are making my full potential sit in the shadows.

Anybody ever experience something this aggravating?  Anyone have advice?  I want to stop worrying without having to confront every little issue I have with the people involved.  Or with others to justify how I am feeling.  

[THEVIPER666]

I have had similar problems and still slightly suffer now. I went to the doctors and it is known as automatic thinking, as soon as I used to wake up i would think of a problem or something stupid I regret doing in the past and it would linger with me all day and I would feel rather strange as well. Sometimes I found it hard to get to sleep and on odd occasions I do now. You maybe want to look into something called CBT I went through this therapy and it trains you to start thinking normal. You've got to remember they are only thoughts, the more you get worked up the worse you will feel. Its kind of a cycle and you need to break it. The trick is to stop letting it bother you and rather than block the thoughts let them pass. I'm still practicing now, but I'm 80% better than what I was.

[doonawalker]

Hi there. I have experienced the symptoms of depression for many years, and one of these is the guilt that you speak of.  Although as "Red Star" has pointed out, such negative thought patterns can be a symptom of chemical imbalances such as serotonin, there is always a psychological aspect of our thought patterns and emotions. I think rather than just accepting that there is something wrong with the chemicals in your body,  it is important to consider what experiences in your life may have led you to think or feel this way?  There has to be a reason that your mind is behaving like it is.  You don't necessarily need to figure out exactly what that might be in order to solve your problem, but if you learn to observe your thought patterns like an outside observer, then this awareness is the first step to catching your mind in the act.  There is a very wise man that can explain all of these things to you in a much more concise way.  His name is Eckhart Tolle.  Look him up on youtube or look for his books "the power of now", "practising the power of now" and "a new earth". I have had depression for 12 years and have only discovered this man's insightful knowledge quite recently. It is changing my life. I hope that you take the time to look him up.

[Red_Star]

I had this symptom along with various other mental and physical symptoms due to autoimmune pernicious anaemia (unable to absorb vitamin B12).  From what i found, this feeling of unnecessary guilt is a listed symptom of low serotonin levels.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain involved in the regulation of several processes including mood, emotions, sleep, appetite, memory and perceptions.  

Symptoms of low serotonin levels include:

Anxiety
Fatigue
Depression
Pre menstrual syndrome
Problems in thinking, concentrating and decision making
Scatterbrained and poorly organized
Needless feelings of unworthiness and/or guilt
Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities
Loss of sexual interest
Social withdrawal
Emotional sadness and frequent crying spells
Low self esteem and self confidence
Sleep disturbances
Chronic depressive disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Fantasies of escaping
Developing a need to change your life panic eg: midlife crisis, divorce
Preoccupied with experiences that may have happened years ago
Bulimia
Alcoholism
Loss of appetite/weight loss or a craving for sweets and carbohydrates
Headaches/migranes
Violent temper
Anger and aggression
Poor impulse control
Panic/agoraphobia syndrome
Thoughts of harming or killing others
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Suicide

The following factors can cause low serotonin levels:

* Artificial sweeteners (aspartame)
* Caffeine
* Cigarette smoking
* Diabetes
* Ecstasy, diet pills, and certain medications
* Chronic opioid, alcohol, amphetamine & marijuana use
* Hormone imbalances (thyroid, adrenal, estrogen)
* Hypoglycemia
* Insulin resistance
* Inflammation
* Infections
* Poor diet
* Lack of exercise
* Stress and anger
* Lack of sunlight (lack of vitamin D)
* Problems converting tryptophan to serotonin
* Problems with digestion (low stomach acid is a major issue)
* High cortisol levels (stress hormone)
* PCB’s, pesticides and plastic chemicals exposure
* Under-methylation - folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 deficiency
* Iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, B3, B6, folate & vitamin C deficiency
* A lack of omega oils
* Glutathione deficiency
* Genetic serotonin receptor abnormalities
* Human growth hormone deficiency
* Progesterone deficiency
* Impaired blood flow to brain