Is you mind always on? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

syradmb · 05-27-2007, 07:12 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...

lithenblithe · 05-27-2007, 10:24 AM

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.

ChanceFL · 05-27-2007, 11:40 AM

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 · 05-27-2007, 11:31 PM

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.

Christian73 · 05-28-2007, 03:44 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.