syradmb
05-27-2007, 10:12 AM
Does anyone else feel like their mind is always "on" or racing?
I dont hear voices. I dont have different personalities inside me that I hear or anything. I know deep down it's just my own thoughts. I know this because you know how when you are/were in school and you studied for exams and then you would go take them and you'd "think" or "talk" in your head.... "ok this math equation do this times x divided 9.... etc..." or whatever. You know internal dialog? That's what I hear.
That's what's in my head and gives me these crazy intrusive thoughts. Like the harming of myself and others. I used to have issues with homosexuality. But Ive told everyone this before. But your classic intrusive thoughts, I have.
I guess my latest concern is, and again I kind of mentioned it, Im afraid this internal voice means Im crazy or schizophrenic. I try and tell myself it's OCD. But I obsess over it. I tell myself, and it's true. I dont feel like there's someone ELSE talking to me. I dont hear a man's voice and the only female voice if you want to call it that, is me. My voice. But I dont know is it the OCD making me wonder and obsess?
Again Ive been on the Schizophrenic boards and I honestly cannot say I can relate to any of their symptoms like I can with us OCDers. Some of them see things which I don't. Some of them think they are prophets, I don't and the whole hearing voices...I just explained.
Does anyone else fear this? Maybe not so much Schizophrenia but why their mind is always on and thinking and saying or bringing up our worst fears? Is it OCD?
Sorry for the long post. I just need to be throughout and need the constant reassurance...
I dont hear voices. I dont have different personalities inside me that I hear or anything. I know deep down it's just my own thoughts. I know this because you know how when you are/were in school and you studied for exams and then you would go take them and you'd "think" or "talk" in your head.... "ok this math equation do this times x divided 9.... etc..." or whatever. You know internal dialog? That's what I hear.
That's what's in my head and gives me these crazy intrusive thoughts. Like the harming of myself and others. I used to have issues with homosexuality. But Ive told everyone this before. But your classic intrusive thoughts, I have.
I guess my latest concern is, and again I kind of mentioned it, Im afraid this internal voice means Im crazy or schizophrenic. I try and tell myself it's OCD. But I obsess over it. I tell myself, and it's true. I dont feel like there's someone ELSE talking to me. I dont hear a man's voice and the only female voice if you want to call it that, is me. My voice. But I dont know is it the OCD making me wonder and obsess?
Again Ive been on the Schizophrenic boards and I honestly cannot say I can relate to any of their symptoms like I can with us OCDers. Some of them see things which I don't. Some of them think they are prophets, I don't and the whole hearing voices...I just explained.
Does anyone else fear this? Maybe not so much Schizophrenia but why their mind is always on and thinking and saying or bringing up our worst fears? Is it OCD?
Sorry for the long post. I just need to be throughout and need the constant reassurance...
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lithenblithe
05-27-2007, 01:24 PM
I don't actually fear this, but I know my mind has filed it away as a future possibility (does that make any sense??) ...
We all indeed have internal dialogue, and the intrusive thoughts and others can absolutely sound like someone else. I think that's why they're called intrusive - it's like someone else butting in on the conversation.
I've sort of entertained the fear of having multiple personalities, because I really do feel like I have an alter ego who is constantly judging everything I think and do. And I openly talk and debate with her when I am alone.
But I think this is just about being a major analyzer. I mean, OCD is about doubting everything, and when you have doubts, you have to ask questions from different viewpoints, research the doubt, go over the evidence, ask the questions again, etc., so it seems natural this would involve a rich and sometimes raucous internal dialogue.
We all indeed have internal dialogue, and the intrusive thoughts and others can absolutely sound like someone else. I think that's why they're called intrusive - it's like someone else butting in on the conversation.
I've sort of entertained the fear of having multiple personalities, because I really do feel like I have an alter ego who is constantly judging everything I think and do. And I openly talk and debate with her when I am alone.
But I think this is just about being a major analyzer. I mean, OCD is about doubting everything, and when you have doubts, you have to ask questions from different viewpoints, research the doubt, go over the evidence, ask the questions again, etc., so it seems natural this would involve a rich and sometimes raucous internal dialogue.
ChanceFL
05-27-2007, 02:40 PM
I was just sitting here before I read your post thinking that my mind is always going with some type of internal dialogue. Whenever I am alone or riding in the car or just not really occupied, I hear my own voice in my head, and a lot of times I am imagining that I am talking about things in my life with someone else who only listens. I always thought it was weird, but maybe in a way it's like my own internal therapy session. I know I am not schizophrenic (although I have obsessed over it in the past), but it bothers me that I always have something going on in my mind. I think another thing about the internal dialogue is that my conversations always go exactly the way I want them to-maybe that's why I enjoy them so much. I always say the right thing (which is something I obsess over in my real life conversations). Anyway, I can relate. Hope this helps.
seriousperson
05-28-2007, 02:31 AM
While in the shower I've delivered lengthy, silent, imaginary sermons and speeches to adoring crowds. For a while after my doctor put me on risperdal (low dose) I was worried that I was schizophrenic (it's used for schizophrenia in higher doses), especially since it worked so well for my anxiety. It was a total relief after a lifetime of anxiety. And, come to think of it, I haven't deliverd any shower speeches in the last year.
Maybe OCD and schizophrenia have some commonalities?
About my mind always being full of words, words, words -- I thought this was in part because of my ADD, but I'm not sure.
Maybe OCD and schizophrenia have some commonalities?
About my mind always being full of words, words, words -- I thought this was in part because of my ADD, but I'm not sure.
Christian73
05-28-2007, 06:44 PM
Yes. I act out entire scenarios in my mind. It can be really bad when I'm trying to go to sleep. My psychiatrist prescribed me Gabitril a couple of years ago to help with this. I take it after dinner and it seems to help but doesn't completely eliminate it. I've started doing a "yoga for OCD" meditation CD that I hope will help even more.
Post-It
05-29-2007, 09:59 AM
I know what you all are saying. It seems like I always have a conversation going on in my mind, or a song stuck in it. I don't know what it is to have a quiet mind! Either I'm thinking about my obsessions, having conversations with myself, or having the same stupid song go around and around in my head.
syradmb
05-29-2007, 12:35 PM
I know what you all are saying. It seems like I always have a conversation going on in my mind, or a song stuck in it. I don't know what it is to have a quiet mind! Either I'm thinking about my obsessions, having conversations with myself, or having the same stupid song go around and around in my head.
Do you ever question these conversations with yourself? I mean I have an obsession with going crazy/schizophrenia. So Im always paranoid these conversations are not normal and that it’s “voices.” I know damn well it’s myself. Ya know? I mean I don’t hear a man’s voice or another woman’s voice. It’s not like I hear something and go “omg who’s that, who’s talking to me.” It’s internal dialogue. BUT I STILL question it. And I obsess over it. I guess that’s the OCD though? I can’t let it go. It’s really bothering me lately…
Do you ever question these conversations with yourself? I mean I have an obsession with going crazy/schizophrenia. So Im always paranoid these conversations are not normal and that it’s “voices.” I know damn well it’s myself. Ya know? I mean I don’t hear a man’s voice or another woman’s voice. It’s not like I hear something and go “omg who’s that, who’s talking to me.” It’s internal dialogue. BUT I STILL question it. And I obsess over it. I guess that’s the OCD though? I can’t let it go. It’s really bothering me lately…
Post-It
05-29-2007, 01:32 PM
Do you ever question these conversations with yourself? I mean I have an obsession with going crazy/schizophrenia. So Im always paranoid these conversations are not normal and that it’s “voices.” I know damn well it’s myself. Ya know? I mean I don’t hear a man’s voice or another woman’s voice. It’s not like I hear something and go “omg who’s that, who’s talking to me.” It’s internal dialogue. BUT I STILL question it. And I obsess over it. I guess that’s the OCD though? I can’t let it go. It’s really bothering me lately…
I don't have the schizo obsession currently, but I did obsess for a week or two that I was hearing voices and maybe that meant I was going schizo. But not that the conversation in my head is schizo. Most of all, the constant internal dialogue is just plain annoying, especially when it's a song that gets stuck in my head. I guess I have always had a very loud internal dialogue so it never scared me, I thought everyone was this way. Now I just know that people with anxiety disorders/OCD have an overactive mind. :)
I don't have the schizo obsession currently, but I did obsess for a week or two that I was hearing voices and maybe that meant I was going schizo. But not that the conversation in my head is schizo. Most of all, the constant internal dialogue is just plain annoying, especially when it's a song that gets stuck in my head. I guess I have always had a very loud internal dialogue so it never scared me, I thought everyone was this way. Now I just know that people with anxiety disorders/OCD have an overactive mind. :)
lithenblithe
05-29-2007, 02:42 PM
You know, it's kind of funny to think that not everybody has a strong, loud internal dialogue. Do you think that most people really don't? I just can't even imagine what that would be like - I think I would be terribly bored!
staralfur
06-05-2007, 09:23 PM
Does anyone else feel like their mind is always "on" or racing?
I dont hear voices. I dont have different personalities inside me that I hear or anything. I know deep down it's just my own thoughts. I know this because you know how when you are/were in school and you studied for exams and then you would go take them and you'd "think" or "talk" in your head.... "ok this math equation do this times x divided 9.... etc..." or whatever. You know internal dialog? That's what I hear.
That's what's in my head and gives me these crazy intrusive thoughts. Like the harming of myself and others. I used to have issues with homosexuality. But Ive told everyone this before. But your classic intrusive thoughts, I have.
I guess my latest concern is, and again I kind of mentioned it, Im afraid this internal voice means Im crazy or schizophrenic. I try and tell myself it's OCD. But I obsess over it. I tell myself, and it's true. I dont feel like there's someone ELSE talking to me. I dont hear a man's voice and the only female voice if you want to call it that, is me. My voice. But I dont know is it the OCD making me wonder and obsess?
Again Ive been on the Schizophrenic boards and I honestly cannot say I can relate to any of their symptoms like I can with us OCDers. Some of them see things which I don't. Some of them think they are prophets, I don't and the whole hearing voices...I just explained.
Does anyone else fear this? Maybe not so much Schizophrenia but why their mind is always on and thinking and saying or bringing up our worst fears? Is it OCD?
Sorry for the long post. I just need to be throughout and need the constant reassurance...
I'd just like to tell you this right now, and it's the truth.
You are NOT schizophrenic.
I have EXACTLY what you have. Down to a tee. I have even worried at length that it's schizophrenia, so my thoughts would act accordingly.
Like, I'd read an article which says "The voices a schizophrenic hears are usually those of family or loved ones" so I'd hear my mums voice, or a friends as internal dialogs.
I have a friend with OCD, who is friends with a schizophrenic, and she told me it's important to remember a schizophrenics voices are ACTUAL hallucinations.
They will HEAR people calling to them, SEE things, even smell and taste things that aren't there. It's all sensory.
OCD is all in the mind, and I assure you, I go through EXACTLY what you do, and I also guarantee you this, the more you worry, the stronger and sillier they become.
Today I got worked up yet again actually, over it might actually be schizophrenia, and so I had about ten pirates in my head all having arguments.
( have just seen pirates of the Caribbean 3 lol)
I think it's important to remember that it's all just in the mind, and it's only when we worry about it that it becomes a problem.
Hell, even the fact that your worrying shows that your sane, because you want to hold on to that sanity.
The old saying is true, if you're crazy - you probably don't know it.
The best advice I can give is to even have fun with it! have conversations with that silly dialogue, make up silly characters and roll with it.
At least you'll never be bored catching a bus!
Please do not worry, I'm experiencing the same thing!
If you need to talk to anyone, I'm here. And I completely understand!
I dont hear voices. I dont have different personalities inside me that I hear or anything. I know deep down it's just my own thoughts. I know this because you know how when you are/were in school and you studied for exams and then you would go take them and you'd "think" or "talk" in your head.... "ok this math equation do this times x divided 9.... etc..." or whatever. You know internal dialog? That's what I hear.
That's what's in my head and gives me these crazy intrusive thoughts. Like the harming of myself and others. I used to have issues with homosexuality. But Ive told everyone this before. But your classic intrusive thoughts, I have.
I guess my latest concern is, and again I kind of mentioned it, Im afraid this internal voice means Im crazy or schizophrenic. I try and tell myself it's OCD. But I obsess over it. I tell myself, and it's true. I dont feel like there's someone ELSE talking to me. I dont hear a man's voice and the only female voice if you want to call it that, is me. My voice. But I dont know is it the OCD making me wonder and obsess?
Again Ive been on the Schizophrenic boards and I honestly cannot say I can relate to any of their symptoms like I can with us OCDers. Some of them see things which I don't. Some of them think they are prophets, I don't and the whole hearing voices...I just explained.
Does anyone else fear this? Maybe not so much Schizophrenia but why their mind is always on and thinking and saying or bringing up our worst fears? Is it OCD?
Sorry for the long post. I just need to be throughout and need the constant reassurance...
I'd just like to tell you this right now, and it's the truth.
You are NOT schizophrenic.
I have EXACTLY what you have. Down to a tee. I have even worried at length that it's schizophrenia, so my thoughts would act accordingly.
Like, I'd read an article which says "The voices a schizophrenic hears are usually those of family or loved ones" so I'd hear my mums voice, or a friends as internal dialogs.
I have a friend with OCD, who is friends with a schizophrenic, and she told me it's important to remember a schizophrenics voices are ACTUAL hallucinations.
They will HEAR people calling to them, SEE things, even smell and taste things that aren't there. It's all sensory.
OCD is all in the mind, and I assure you, I go through EXACTLY what you do, and I also guarantee you this, the more you worry, the stronger and sillier they become.
Today I got worked up yet again actually, over it might actually be schizophrenia, and so I had about ten pirates in my head all having arguments.
( have just seen pirates of the Caribbean 3 lol)
I think it's important to remember that it's all just in the mind, and it's only when we worry about it that it becomes a problem.
Hell, even the fact that your worrying shows that your sane, because you want to hold on to that sanity.
The old saying is true, if you're crazy - you probably don't know it.
The best advice I can give is to even have fun with it! have conversations with that silly dialogue, make up silly characters and roll with it.
At least you'll never be bored catching a bus!
Please do not worry, I'm experiencing the same thing!
If you need to talk to anyone, I'm here. And I completely understand!
syradmb
06-05-2007, 10:24 PM
I'd just like to tell you this right now, and it's the truth.
You are NOT schizophrenic.
I have EXACTLY what you have. Down to a tee. I have even worried at length that it's schizophrenia, so my thoughts would act accordingly.
Like, I'd read an article which says "The voices a schizophrenic hears are usually those of family or loved ones" so I'd hear my mums voice, or a friends as internal dialogs.
I have a friend with OCD, who is friends with a schizophrenic, and she told me it's important to remember a schizophrenics voices are ACTUAL hallucinations.
They will HEAR people calling to them, SEE things, even smell and taste things that aren't there. It's all sensory.
OCD is all in the mind, and I assure you, I go through EXACTLY what you do, and I also guarantee you this, the more you worry, the stronger and sillier they become.
Today I got worked up yet again actually, over it might actually be schizophrenia, and so I had about ten pirates in my head all having arguments.
( have just seen pirates of the Caribbean 3 lol)
I think it's important to remember that it's all just in the mind, and it's only when we worry about it that it becomes a problem.
Hell, even the fact that your worrying shows that your sane, because you want to hold on to that sanity.
The old saying is true, if you're crazy - you probably don't know it.
The best advice I can give is to even have fun with it! have conversations with that silly dialogue, make up silly characters and roll with it.
At least you'll never be bored catching a bus!
Please do not worry, I'm experiencing the same thing!
If you need to talk to anyone, I'm here. And I completely understand!
Thanks for the reply. It's good to know someone understands. I think worrying about schizophrenia is a common thing with OCDers. I'm starting to feel better lately. hopefully it stays this way for a while!!
You are NOT schizophrenic.
I have EXACTLY what you have. Down to a tee. I have even worried at length that it's schizophrenia, so my thoughts would act accordingly.
Like, I'd read an article which says "The voices a schizophrenic hears are usually those of family or loved ones" so I'd hear my mums voice, or a friends as internal dialogs.
I have a friend with OCD, who is friends with a schizophrenic, and she told me it's important to remember a schizophrenics voices are ACTUAL hallucinations.
They will HEAR people calling to them, SEE things, even smell and taste things that aren't there. It's all sensory.
OCD is all in the mind, and I assure you, I go through EXACTLY what you do, and I also guarantee you this, the more you worry, the stronger and sillier they become.
Today I got worked up yet again actually, over it might actually be schizophrenia, and so I had about ten pirates in my head all having arguments.
( have just seen pirates of the Caribbean 3 lol)
I think it's important to remember that it's all just in the mind, and it's only when we worry about it that it becomes a problem.
Hell, even the fact that your worrying shows that your sane, because you want to hold on to that sanity.
The old saying is true, if you're crazy - you probably don't know it.
The best advice I can give is to even have fun with it! have conversations with that silly dialogue, make up silly characters and roll with it.
At least you'll never be bored catching a bus!
Please do not worry, I'm experiencing the same thing!
If you need to talk to anyone, I'm here. And I completely understand!
Thanks for the reply. It's good to know someone understands. I think worrying about schizophrenia is a common thing with OCDers. I'm starting to feel better lately. hopefully it stays this way for a while!!
GatsbyLuvr1920
06-16-2007, 01:26 AM
My mind usually never turns off, but it's gotten better. When my OCD was at its worst, at age 12, I had the "racing thoughts" that you are describing. I literally couldn't just sit down and have an empty mind. There would be an obsession or some mindless thought. No "free space" whatsoever. I remember my low point being when my whole head literally hurt from constantly spinning and me not being able to not think for a mere five seconds. That was horrible. I NEVER want to go back to that... :dizzy: I, like you, thought I was schizophrenic, because I'd hear these strange thoughts that I knew I would never want to think. But, that leads into an easy way to distinugish schizophrenia from pure obsessional OCD: If you recognize that the "voice" is really your own thoughts saying things that you don't want them to, it's OCD. If you truly believe that it's somebody else's voice telling you these things, it's probably schizophrenia. It's not quite that simplistic, but it's a good starting point. :angel:
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
seriousperson
06-16-2007, 02:23 AM
I accept that a lot of people believe that their minds are sometimes empty, but I can't quite accept that they really are. I just can't imagine what it would be like to have an empty mind. It sounds like death to me.
One of my daughters claims she never dreams. That also seems impossible.
Sometimes I get in my superhero mode and think that I must be pretty special since my mind is always busy and other people's are not.
One of my daughters claims she never dreams. That also seems impossible.
Sometimes I get in my superhero mode and think that I must be pretty special since my mind is always busy and other people's are not.
lithenblithe
06-16-2007, 03:04 AM
I'm with you, seriousperson. Actually, it didn't really occur to me until quite recently that other people might not think as unrelentingly as I do.
I was talking to my mom the other day about how I think, how I'll think about certain things all day or longer, while other layers of questions or thoughts are piling on, how there is always a song stuck in my head all the while, etc., and she said, "that sounds exhausting!"
I was really surprised. I mean, she is an absolute worry wart. I thought she would totally relate. So I asked, "if all these things aren't in your head, what IS in your head all the time?" She said she mostly thinks about what she is doing at the time. When she wakes up, she thinks about what she needs to do for the day, and if she has a really pressing concern, she'll think about that. She said that once in a blue moon, she'll think more like me, if something has really really upset her, and she will go over it in her mind for maybe a day or so.
That way of thinking sounds pretty good to me! But honestly, I can't really imagine not thinking in the way I do. My thoughts are really quite important to me, almost like a whole separate life. And without them, I'm not really sure what I'd do. I feel like I would lose a big part of myself.
I was talking to my mom the other day about how I think, how I'll think about certain things all day or longer, while other layers of questions or thoughts are piling on, how there is always a song stuck in my head all the while, etc., and she said, "that sounds exhausting!"
I was really surprised. I mean, she is an absolute worry wart. I thought she would totally relate. So I asked, "if all these things aren't in your head, what IS in your head all the time?" She said she mostly thinks about what she is doing at the time. When she wakes up, she thinks about what she needs to do for the day, and if she has a really pressing concern, she'll think about that. She said that once in a blue moon, she'll think more like me, if something has really really upset her, and she will go over it in her mind for maybe a day or so.
That way of thinking sounds pretty good to me! But honestly, I can't really imagine not thinking in the way I do. My thoughts are really quite important to me, almost like a whole separate life. And without them, I'm not really sure what I'd do. I feel like I would lose a big part of myself.
some83
08-10-2007, 04:45 PM
i always feel this way. sometimes its manageable,sometimes it makes me want to rip my head off for relief. its usually worse at night. it makes me feel crazy. i just have to wait for it to "let up" some.
snbcamp
08-10-2007, 06:42 PM
When I am OCDing, my mind is on from the time I open my eyes until the time I get home from work. I'm usually the worst at work as the nature of my job is somewhat solitary, so lots of time (too much:) ) to get those unwanted thoughts going.
staralfur
08-11-2007, 01:46 PM
The only time my intrusive thoughts/dialogue can be civilized is when I'm drunk, we have such wonderful conversations in my head then.
Haha.
Haha.