Looping thoughts - Depression Message Board

Therag · 11-14-2008, 02:56 PM

Is thinking the same thoughts in repetition a symptom of depression o'r is it more of an anxiety symptom?

For many years i have had a problem where i will think about something, say a name of a film and then that name will loop around my mind, the thought get's faster and faster, and louder and louder. Often the only time the thought stops is when another somes to replace it and then that one will loop in the same way. As you can imagine my life is a living hell because of this problem. I have been told to simply keep busy to distract myself, but it's not as simple as that, as no matter what i do whether it be work o'r doing my hobbies, the thoughts get so loud and distracting i have to stop whatever i am doing because i get so consumed by them. I almost become blind when i get consumed by the thought and my breathing becomes shallow...Nothing else registers with me but the thought. It's a nightmare when talking to people as i am trying my best to focus and be a good listener, and i try to suppress my thoughts but they win.

When i manage to suppress my thoughts my mind won't be fully relaxed as i am thinking about not thinking, and i live in dread of my thoughts returning.
My thoughts are not even worrying thoughts but just petty things, yet they cause so much stress for me.

I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance

AnnD · 11-14-2008, 03:51 PM

You need to go to a psychiatrist or however your mental health care system is over there. Your looping thoughts are not signs of depression or anxiety they are signs of a much more complex psychiatric disorder. There is relief for you but first you need to get yourself diagnosed and go from there. Good luck and I am sorry you have to deal with any of this.

Therag · 11-15-2008, 10:26 AM

I'm on meds for anxiety, but i'm not sure whether it's anxiety that makes me do this o'r vice versa. When i can manage to clear my thoughts i feel calm but then i begin to feel uptight. It seems that my brain o'r me? is not satisfied unless there's a mental activity going on in my mind. I just wish i could have a blank relaxed mind instead of this chaotic mess.

SUE22 · 11-17-2008, 02:03 PM

Hi i have the same sort of trouble, mine is to do with songs and music, they keep in my mind for days, and i can repeat them over and over , if i go out for a day trip and enjoy the day, its not so bad, also have trouble talking to people alot, as other thoughts are in my head all day, always wondering if they know want trouble i have , i am on depression pills and suffer from anxiety, i was frightened i has schizoprenia and told my psychiatist but he said i have not. its very hard to live with .

Therag · 11-20-2008, 12:17 PM

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes it's terrible i can sometimes control them and have a calm mind and i feel much happier when i can do that, then all the sudden my mind will be a mass of mixed thoughts which don't have a purpose. It leaves me confused and exhausted. I am told that everyone has as many thoughts but some people just have the ability to ignore them.