Se prendre la tête

This familiar expression literally translates to taking one's head.  But don't worry, no one is actually going around collecting heads in France anymore.  Il/elle se prend la tête describes someone who is overthinking a situation, causing their brain to go into overdrive.  Whether the excessive thinking is justified or not, the expression implies that we would be better off without, and that we may be adding unnecessary problems to the equation.  We are in any case invited to try and find a simpler way of solving it.  For example, Arrête de te prendre la tête! could translate into Stop complicating things!, Don't get all worked up!, Don't agonize over it!, depending on the context.

The meaning is slightly different if, instead of taking your own head, you take someone else's head.  That person may say: tu me prends la tête (avec ça!,) to mean you're annoying me (with this,) you're getting on my nerves.  Similarly, if you hear ça me prend la tête -  it takes my head -  "it" clearly gives you a headache and you can’t wait to be done with it, whatever "it" may be.

Origin

The origin of this quirky phrase is hard to pinpoint exactly.  Maybe it started with some French philosophers who got so lost in their own profound thoughts that they ended up taking their heads as souvenirs - bérêts included.

More realistically, it seems that the original expression was se prendre la tête entre les mains - holding one's head in one's hands - as per the picture above.  Imagine yourself literally grabbing your head with both hands, in a desperate attempt to hold onto your sanity, as if your head had decided to take a wild rollercoaster ride without your permission.  It's a metaphorical way of saying that when you overthink, you're literally taking your head into a swirling vortex of confusion and need both hands to keep it in its rightful place.

The next time you find yourself in a situation that makes you want to yank your hair out, remember to channel your inner French and hold your head in your hands. It won't solve your problems, but at least you'll look dramatic and très chic while doing it.

Examples

Elle se prend la tête à propos des pires bêtises.
She gets worked up over the silliest things.

Ne vous prenez pas la tête, ce n'est qu'un jeu!
Don't let it drive you crazy, this is just a game!

Ce rapport me prend la tête, j'ai hâte de le terminer.
This report is giving me a headache, I can’t wait to be done with it.