Do you have a thinking problem?

(Questionnaire based on AA literature, "drinking" replaced by "thinking." Excerpted from Shaving the Inside of Your Skull by Mel Ash, Zen teacher)

 To answer this question, ask yourself the following questions and answer them as honestly as possible, checking off each that you answer "Yes."

• Have you ever tried to quit thinking?
• Do you think first thing in the morning?
• Is thinking making your home life unhappy?
• Is thinking affecting your reputation?
• Do you think because you're shy with other people?
• Have you ever felt remorse after thinking?
• Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of thinking?
• Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when thinking?
• Do you lose time from work due to thinking?
• Does your thinking make you careless of your family's welfare?
• Has your ambition decreased since thinking?
• Are you thinking right now?
• Do you think at a definite time daily?
• Does your thinking cause you difficulty in sleeping?
• Has your efficiency decreased since thinking?
• Is thinking jeopardizing your job or business?
• Do you think to escape from worries or troubles?
• Do you think alone?
• Have you ever had a complete memory loss as a result of thinking?
• Do you resent the advice of others who try to get you to stop thinking?
• Do you think to build up your self-confidence?
• Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of your thinking?

• If you answered yes to any one of the questions, there is a definite warning that you may be a problem thinker.
• If you answered yes to any two, the chances are that you are a problem thinker.
• If you answered yes to three or more, you are definitely a problem thinker and need to seek professional help.