Racing thoughts
Encyclopedia
Racing thoughts refers to the rapid thought patterns that often occur in manic
, hypomanic, or mixed episodes. While racing thoughts are most commonly described in people with bipolar disorder
, they are also common with anxiety disorders, such as OCD. Racing thoughts are also associated with use of amphetamine
s and sleep deprivation
.
Racing thoughts may be experienced as background or take over a person's consciousness. Thoughts, music, and voices might be zooming through one's mind. There also might be a repetitive pattern of voice or of pressure without any associated "sound". It is a very overwhelming and irritating feeling, and can result in losing track of time.
Generally, racing thoughts are described by an individual who has had an episode as an event where the mind uncontrollably brings up random thoughts and memories and switches between them very quickly. Sometimes they are related, as one thought leads to another; other times they are completely random. A person suffering from an episode of racing thoughts has no control over his or her train of thought and it stops them from focusing on one topic or prevents sleeping.
Sleep deprivation can cause similar symptoms which can be described as racing thoughts or a racing mind. Chronic sleep apnea and prolonged disturbed sleep patterns may induce racing thoughts.
Treatment for racing thoughts is similar to treatments for Bipolar disorder; beginning with a healthy life style, sleeping regularly, eating healthy and staying away from drugs and alcohol.
Mania
Mania, the presence of which is a criterion for certain psychiatric diagnoses, is a state of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, arousal, and/ or energy levels. In a sense, it is the opposite of depression...
, hypomanic, or mixed episodes. While racing thoughts are most commonly described in people with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
, they are also common with anxiety disorders, such as OCD. Racing thoughts are also associated with use of amphetamine
Amphetamine
Amphetamine or amfetamine is a psychostimulant drug of the phenethylamine class which produces increased wakefulness and focus in association with decreased fatigue and appetite.Brand names of medications that contain, or metabolize into, amphetamine include Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextrostat,...
s and sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is the condition of not having enough sleep; it can be either chronic or acute. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight loss or weight gain. It adversely affects the brain and cognitive function. Few studies have compared the...
.
Racing thoughts may be experienced as background or take over a person's consciousness. Thoughts, music, and voices might be zooming through one's mind. There also might be a repetitive pattern of voice or of pressure without any associated "sound". It is a very overwhelming and irritating feeling, and can result in losing track of time.
Generally, racing thoughts are described by an individual who has had an episode as an event where the mind uncontrollably brings up random thoughts and memories and switches between them very quickly. Sometimes they are related, as one thought leads to another; other times they are completely random. A person suffering from an episode of racing thoughts has no control over his or her train of thought and it stops them from focusing on one topic or prevents sleeping.
Sleep deprivation can cause similar symptoms which can be described as racing thoughts or a racing mind. Chronic sleep apnea and prolonged disturbed sleep patterns may induce racing thoughts.
Treatment for racing thoughts is similar to treatments for Bipolar disorder; beginning with a healthy life style, sleeping regularly, eating healthy and staying away from drugs and alcohol.
See also
- Flight of ideas
- Intrusive thoughtsIntrusive thoughtsIntrusive thoughts are unwelcome involuntary thoughts, images, or unpleasant ideas that may become obsessions, are upsetting or distressing, and can be difficult to manage or eliminate. Most people experience these thoughts...
- Pressure of speechPressure of speechPressure of speech is a tendency to speak rapidly and frenziedly, as if motivated by an urgency not apparent to the listener. The speech produced, sometimes called pressured speech, is difficult to interrupt and may be too fast or too tangential for the listener to understand; it is an example of...
- Sleep apneaSleep apneaSleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing, during sleep. Each pause in breathing, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Similarly, each abnormally low...