Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire: Are You Stuck in Negative Thought Loops?

A science-backed measure of overthinking, worry, and mental fixation.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Do your thoughts ever feel like they’re stuck on a loop—replaying worries, mistakes, or unresolved problems long after they stop being useful? The Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire is a research-based psychological scale designed to assess repetitive negative thinking, a mental pattern closely linked to anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion.

Unlike productive reflection or problem-solving, perseverative thinking tends to be intrusive, repetitive, and difficult to disengage from. People who score high on the test often report trouble concentrating, decision fatigue, and feeling mentally “trapped” by their own thoughts. This test helps identify how strongly these patterns show up in your everyday thinking.

If you’re curious how overthinking overlaps with related experiences, you may also want to explore the Mistake Rumination Scale or the Anxiety Sensitivity Test, which examine specific emotional and cognitive tendencies that often accompany repetitive negative thoughts.

Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire: Take The 15-Item Test

Complete the questions below. For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. The same thoughts keep going through my mind again and again.

2. Thoughts intrude into my mind.

3. I can’t stop dwelling on them.

4. I think about many problems without solving any of them.

5. I can’t do anything else while thinking about my problems.

6. My thoughts repeat themselves.

7. Thoughts come to my mind without me wanting them to.

8. I get stuck on certain issues and can’t move on.

9. I keep asking myself questions without finding an answer.

10. My thoughts prevent me from focusing on other things.

11. I keep thinking about the same issue all the time.

12. Thoughts just pop into my mind.

13. I feel driven to continue dwelling on the same issue.

14. My thoughts are not much help to me.

15. My thoughts take up all my attention.

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

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Source

Ehring, T., Zetsche, U., Weidacker, K., Wahl, K., Schönfeld, S., & Ehlers, A. (2011). The Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ): Validation of a content-independent measure of repetitive negative thinking. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 42(2), 225–232. [Read Paper]

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?
This quiz takes about 3-5 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?
Yes, all Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?
Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose a mental health condition?
No. This quiz is for self-reflection and educational purposes only and is not a diagnostic tool.

Can my results help me manage overthinking better?
Yes. Understanding your level of repetitive negative thinking can help you recognize unhelpful mental patterns and take steps toward healthier coping strategies.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.

Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire: Are You Stuck in Negative Thought Loops?

Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire: Take The 15-Item Test

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

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