Ideas in this flowchart

• Main strategy to prevent spiraling
• Check nervous system state
• Identify signs of overthinking
• Pause and self-question
• Ask if dysregulated, stressed, rushing, or tense
• Negative thoughts are convincing when overwhelmed
• Regulate nervous system first
• Challenge negative thoughts
• Consider alternative stories
• Thoughts often not based on reality
• Difficult to challenge thoughts when dysregulated
• Prefrontal cortex affected in threat mode
• Achieve logical thinking state
• Story follows nervous system state
• Importance of changing state first