Psycho-Babble Social Thread 4919

Shown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

racing thoughts?

Posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

Tell me--are any of you plagued by this? ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT 75% of the time are things I've done to embarrass myself--things I've done and said in the past, anywhere from what happened yesterday to things that happened ten years ago. It makes me feel like a total creep & unfit for the world. Are these "racing thoughts"? I do feel kind of obsessive about it & i know it's crazy to ruminate like this but i can't help it.

(I am new to this board but may be asking for lots of help. i need it.)

 

Re: racing thoughts? » sar

Posted by ShelliR on March 2, 2001, at 17:09:54

In reply to racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

> Tell me--are any of you plagued by this? ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT 75% of the time are things I've done to embarrass myself--things I've done and said in the past, anywhere from what happened yesterday to things that happened ten years ago. It makes me feel like a total creep & unfit for the world. Are these "racing thoughts"? I do feel kind of obsessive about it & i know it's crazy to ruminate like this but i can't help it.
>
> (I am new to this board but may be asking for lots of help. i need it.)

Sar, I don't have a lot of experience with this, but my sister takes an antidepressant for what she calls "ruiminating." , where she goes over and over the same thing. And it has helped her a lot. (She takes prozac, but there are several specific antidepressants used for ocd specifically).

There are other methods to stop thought patterns--cognitive methods--that can be learned in a therapy geared to that purpose.

Perhaps people who have the same disorder will offer you more help. Shelli

 

Re: racing thoughts? » sar

Posted by judy1 on March 2, 2001, at 18:35:43

In reply to racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

Hi,
I agree with Shelli- it's one of OCD or depression's symptoms, this obsessive negative thinking. It usually helps to have a therp point out how you are probably blowing things out of proportion and putting a negative spin on it. Racing thoughts are the hallmark of mania- where so many ideas are running through your head that it is difficult to follow through to the end of a thought. Sometimes it gives way to pressured speech and for me it is never negative, at the time I think myself quite brilliant. Hope this helps- judy

 

Re: racing thoughts Judy?

Posted by willow on March 2, 2001, at 19:29:05

In reply to Re: racing thoughts? » sar, posted by judy1 on March 2, 2001, at 18:35:43

Judy

I have another spin to which I refer to as racing thoughts, but perhaps a racing head would be a better term. What happens to me is I can't control my thought proces , seems to spin like a tire on ice but no traction. Any stimulus will make it worse including movement. Thank goodness it isn't constant. I do have a hard time describing it to the doctors because when it does occur it is pretty distressing. I call it "racing thought" but is this an incorecct description?

Willow

 

Re: racing thoughts? » sar

Posted by Greg on March 2, 2001, at 20:04:47

In reply to racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

sar,

Racing or repetitive thoughts are not necessarily a result of OCD. I have Bipolar II and these types of thoughts were my worst enemy. I couldn't make my mind shut up. My psych started me on Zyprexa about four months ago and it's improved 100%. I hope you find a solution for this, I really do know what you're going thru.

Be well,
Greg

> Tell me--are any of you plagued by this? ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT 75% of the time are things I've done to embarrass myself--things I've done and said in the past, anywhere from what happened yesterday to things that happened ten years ago. It makes me feel like a total creep & unfit for the world. Are these "racing thoughts"? I do feel kind of obsessive about it & i know it's crazy to ruminate like this but i can't help it.
>
> (I am new to this board but may be asking for lots of help. i need it.)

 

Re: racing thoughts Judy? » willow

Posted by judy1 on March 2, 2001, at 23:49:42

In reply to Re: racing thoughts Judy?, posted by willow on March 2, 2001, at 19:29:05

Hi Willow,
What caught my eye was your alluding to movement worsening your thought process. I was curious if you have ever been worked up for epilepsy? Your description sounds like it's neurological in nature- but then my pdoc is convinced bp and panic and epilepsy have a lot in common. Have you ever tried to describe your symptoms to a neurologist? Take care, judy

 

Re: racing thoughts Judy?

Posted by Dubya on March 3, 2001, at 0:21:48

In reply to Re: racing thoughts Judy? » willow, posted by judy1 on March 2, 2001, at 23:49:42

Your symptoms sound familiar. I can relate. I have racing thoughts and obsessive thoughts like such everyday. In fact, you can see many of my posts like, "Is the purpose of life to..." and realize that I have that problem too.

I wish or hope it will go away. I also have another thing, I speak aloud when around people, trying to make a point, often I can't make any sense and people just laugh; how awkward. Also, I feel intimidated by people, I don't know why but I'd rather like lose all of the money to those people around me than to feel intimidated at all.

Also, is incessant speaking a symptom of depression, OCD, anxiety or social anxiety disorder.

 

Re: racing thoughts?

Posted by ChrisK on March 3, 2001, at 6:45:11

In reply to racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

I had obsessive thoughts of death and suicide for quite a long time. Like Greg, the thing that helped was adding Zyprexa to my AD. Two years later and I still take it succesfully. I can think much more clearly than ever. You may want to talk to your pdoc about it.

Also, if you don't already see a therapist you may want to see one, even if it's just for 4 or 5 sessions. Sometimes these thought patterns can be "talked" out of you.

Good Luck,
Chris

 

Re: racing thoughts?

Posted by pat123 on March 3, 2001, at 11:22:36

In reply to racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

I had the same thing. Very fast thoughts, sometimes what I wanted to think about and sometimes not. Too fast for comfort. Starting antidepressants stopped it, I now think rather fast but it is a usable, comfortable rate and I have more control over what I think about.

Pat

 

Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?

Posted by Dubya on March 3, 2001, at 12:37:20

In reply to Re: racing thoughts?, posted by pat123 on March 3, 2001, at 11:22:36

Is there any connection between newly (during a depression/anxiety/OCD disorder) found impulse habits and a mood disorder?

 

Re: racing thoughts?

Posted by sar on March 3, 2001, at 14:10:18

In reply to Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?, posted by Dubya on March 3, 2001, at 12:37:20

Thanks, everyone, for your answers.

I think I misused the term "racing thoughts"--my thoughts occur at a "normal" (?) rate...they're just terribly ruminating and negative, been this way for years.

I really do need to get myself to a therapist, y'all're right...what kind of experience have any of you had seeing a free therapist? I had a couple of appointments with a high-dollar one before my insurance ran out and now I'll prob'ly have to go to a communityplace...any thoughts?

thanks,
sar

 

Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?

Posted by pat123 on March 3, 2001, at 14:43:21

In reply to Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?, posted by Dubya on March 3, 2001, at 12:37:20

> Is there any connection between newly (during a depression/anxiety/OCD disorder) found impulse habits and a mood disorder?

When I am depressed I am less likely to throughly
think out impulses before I act on them.

Pat

 

Re: impulsive actions/thoughts? PAT

Posted by Dubya on March 3, 2001, at 17:36:06

In reply to Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?, posted by pat123 on March 3, 2001, at 14:43:21

Wow! I think I can understand because, I am not really impulsive by nature. Usually, I get taken over or rather, let depression/anxiety/ocd take over me, I end up doing things erraticly; resulting in impulsive buying, etc. Yet, when I am in a 'normal' state, I couldn't care less about going shopping.

 

Re: impulsive actions/thoughts? PAT

Posted by willow on March 4, 2001, at 10:29:32

In reply to Re: impulsive actions/thoughts? PAT, posted by Dubya on March 3, 2001, at 17:36:06

For myself when I have impulsive thoughts I think they're caused by anxiety. I'll usually have them when I'm tired or after a stressful situation. These thoughts aren't about the stressor. The psychologist I saw as a teenager had me call her when this happened. Now as I'm getting older, I kinda ignore them and try to relax. Once the anxiety lessens I try to identify the cause and find solutions if they may be helpful.

 

Re: impulsive actions/thoughts? PAT

Posted by pat123 on March 4, 2001, at 16:29:26

In reply to Re: impulsive actions/thoughts? PAT, posted by willow on March 4, 2001, at 10:29:32

> For myself when I have impulsive thoughts I think they're caused by anxiety.

For me, I over think everything. I have learned to
work through this and come up with the right answer for me. At least when I am not depressed.
When depressed I spend too much time weighing every angle and giving too much weight to possible
negative outcomes. When depressed I can spend so much time making up my mind that the issue passes
by, so I do not need to take action. Summary judgment never yields to best answer !

Risk and stress are necessary as they move us foward. Life without risk is boring. While depressed I cannot deal with normal levels of risk and stress, which are usually positive influences. They cause too much pain so I just do not leave the house. It is not a fear of going outside or a fear at all; leaving the house would mean risk and simply to many choices and unknowns.

Thankfully I found meds 10 years ago; it seems so silly that at one point I could not leave the house ! But there you are, it is what it is.

Pat

 

Re: racing thoughts?

Posted by Ugenia Kay on March 5, 2001, at 11:15:17

In reply to Re: racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 3, 2001, at 14:10:18

Sorry if I seemed snoopy, but I have been treated for depression for several years. I also don't have insurance yet but I am waiting for Adult health Plus to be funded by whichever government people who are in charge. You may be able to ask at your counseling office about it. Also a lot of counselong centers use a sliding scale for charging for appointments based on your income. I hope this has helped. U. Kay.
> Thanks, everyone, for your answers.
>
> I think I misused the term "racing thoughts"--my thoughts occur at a "normal" (?) rate...they're just terribly ruminating and negative, been this way for years.
>
> I really do need to get myself to a therapist, y'all're right...what kind of experience have any of you had seeing a free therapist? I had a couple of appointments with a high-dollar one before my insurance ran out and now I'll prob'ly have to go to a communityplace...any thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> sar

 

Ugenia's point ...

Posted by willow on March 5, 2001, at 21:42:56

In reply to racing thoughts?, posted by sar on March 2, 2001, at 14:38:37

I do think a lot of people are unaware that there is counselling available without referral through a medical doctor. I was not aware of this even though I had seen a psychologist as a teenager. I do believe that a lot of people who are just having situational stress are quickly prescribed something by their medical doctors because it's a quicker fixer upper method for the doctor. Though in my opinion a counsellor, who may spend more time with an individual, may be able to provide more productive help.

Willow

 

Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?

Posted by Ted on March 6, 2001, at 10:39:58

In reply to Re: racing thoughts?=impulsive actions/thoughts?, posted by pat123 on March 3, 2001, at 14:43:21

Pat, et.al.,

Likewise for me, and also when I am hypomanic. So that would be.... just about always. :-(

Ted


> > Is there any connection between newly (during a depression/anxiety/OCD disorder) found impulse habits and a mood disorder?
>
> When I am depressed I am less likely to throughly
> think out impulses before I act on them.
>
> Pat

 

More questions racing thoughts Judy and others?

Posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 7:40:22

In reply to Re: racing thoughts Judy? » willow, posted by judy1 on March 2, 2001, at 23:49:42

"Have you ever tried to describe your symptoms to a neurologist?"

No, the only health professionals I've discussed it with have been my psychologist and family doctor. The psychologist assumes it's part of the CFS and the family doctor said it was depression, (could have been because I was in tears when I was talking about it?) and he prescribed effexor which has helped. Hence my reasoning that it is a mental health problem.

The first time I had this problem it came when I was on trazadone. Now two years later it came when I wasn't on any ADs. This is why I was so distressed by it.

To me it seemed very similar to when my father would have his schizophrenia aggravated, the only difference being that he was unable to sleep when this happened. Perhaps it could be the anxiety that it creates? It's a scary feeling, losing your mind literally.

I was wondering if anyone can relate. You're unable to comprehend any stimulus it sends your head spinning, but if you stay completely still and try not to think your head doesn't race. ???

 

Re: More questions racing thoughts Judy and others? » willow

Posted by judy1 on March 8, 2001, at 17:08:29

In reply to More questions racing thoughts Judy and others?, posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 7:40:22

Dear Willow,
I have 3 different dx's from 3 different specialists- a shrink who says bipolar and panic, a psychologist who says DID, and a neurologist who says I suffer from complex partial seizures. Since the shrink and neuro's treatments are similar- AED's, that's not a problem. But if you are just taking AD's and you do have a form of epilepsy (and believe me there are some strange symptoms when you involve the temporal lobe); then I think you owe it to yourself to be worked up by a neurologist. Believe me, they have heard it all. And yes I have felt like I was literally losing my mind many times, and it is a terrifying feeling.
Take care, Judy

 

What are AEDs (np)?

Posted by willow on March 8, 2001, at 17:46:07

In reply to Re: More questions racing thoughts Judy and others? » willow, posted by judy1 on March 8, 2001, at 17:08:29

> Dear Willow,
> I have 3 different dx's from 3 different specialists- a shrink who says bipolar and panic, a psychologist who says DID, and a neurologist who says I suffer from complex partial seizures. Since the shrink and neuro's treatments are similar- AED's, that's not a problem. But if you are just taking AD's and you do have a form of epilepsy (and believe me there are some strange symptoms when you involve the temporal lobe); then I think you owe it to yourself to be worked up by a neurologist. Believe me, they have heard it all. And yes I have felt like I was literally losing my mind many times, and it is a terrifying feeling.
> Take care, Judy

 

Re: What are AEDs (np)? » willow

Posted by judy1 on March 9, 2001, at 11:34:10

In reply to What are AEDs (np)?, posted by willow on March 8, 2001, at 17:46:07

Anti-epileptic drugs like depakote, tegretol, neurontin, klonopin, lamictal, topamax and on and on....been on them all- judy

 

Re: What are AEDs ?

Posted by willow on March 9, 2001, at 20:54:45

In reply to Re: What are AEDs (np)? » willow, posted by judy1 on March 9, 2001, at 11:34:10

"Anti-epileptic drugs like depakote, tegretol, neurontin, klonopin, lamictal, topamax and on and on....been on them all"

Have you found something that has helped you? What you wrote earlier reminded me of some instances of people being diagnosed with schizophrenia but what they had was epilepsy. Scary huh? Hopefully this doesn't happen often!

Whispering Willow

 

Re: What are AEDs ? » willow

Posted by judy1 on March 10, 2001, at 14:26:13

In reply to Re: What are AEDs ?, posted by willow on March 9, 2001, at 20:54:45

Hi Willow,
Actually I do think it happens a lot. Most consumers don't have the knowledge and/or finances to seek out the proper dx. I read of a young woman who had been raped and was so traumatized she fell into a catatonic (mute) state and no one knew of the assault. She was misdiagnosed and subjected to several rounds of ECT, before her experience was revealed. Lots of 'survivors' out there. I think it is great that you are questioning and seeking answers, it can only help you.
As for me, no I have not been fortunate enough to find something to stop my cycling, but I am a very tenacious person and have an excellent team of drs. who listen and try to help. I wish you well- Judy


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