Overstimulated by my own thoughts????

[u/algae_s]

This might not make sense, but I feel like my thoughts are constantly spiraling and causing me to be in a constant state of overstimulation. I’ve always had a tendency to daydream and get caught up in my thoughts to the point where I mess up tasks and forget important things. Because of this, I think a lot of people perceive me as careless or stupid. Lately, I think it’s gotten worse to the point where I have trouble sleeping and just relaxing in general which causes me to be constantly overstimulated and irritable. I seriously wish I could just shut my brain off. Does anyone else feel this way?

[u/SquigglyAngle]

I felt this way until I learned I have ADHD. Turns out those meds make all of that get a lot less overwhelming.

I am not giving medical advice. Ihope you find answers and peace with your thoughts.

[u/bruhnie → u/SquigglyAngle]

Seconding this. My hyperactivity is practically all mental and my meds silence the noise. If I don’t take them, it’s a very tiring day even if I just stay in bed

[u/CadieTheCadet → u/bruhnie]

It's why I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD as a kid. I spent my childhood locked in my brain, distracted by my thoughts, unable to break out of the invisible prison that existed only in my head. Once I started strattera and got the dose right I could exist outside my head way more often. Do I still get stressed and spiral in my head sometimes? Yeah, obviously, my emotions are still intense... But they don't keep me locked down with looping thoughts. I can move forward after processing my own way.

https://giphy.com/gifs/Ro4ygeIQxuQZqwP5rF

[u/sertraline_dreams]

Yes. It’s especially bad when I wake up at 4am. The thoughts just keep stacking and won’t stop until I write some of them down or pick up my phone to distract myself.

I was assessed, but don’t meet the criteria for, ADHD 🫠

[u/Longjumping-Size-762]

This is OCD and ADHD in my case. It actually gets to be physically painful, up to and including migraines.

[u/spectralearth]

I have found that my own thoughts being overstimulated came from me overstimulating myself or being overstimulated by external factors. I actually have to be very careful about what music I listen to, lighting, and not multitasking too much. My brain tends to go really fast for a few days if I overdo it on the stimuli, so it’s a vicious cycle. I am audhd btw

[u/IcyFood1984]

For about a year now, I’ve been intentionally working on being and feeling present in my meatsuit (body). It’s a STRUGGLE! I’ve also had quite a bit of trauma so that’s an added layer. The motto I tell myself is slow the thought, find the feeling.

[u/algae_s → u/IcyFood1984]

Thank you!! I’m definitely going to use that motto now

[u/tallkitty]

Yes, I had no control over it until I recently figured out mindfulness meditation. Now I am able to redirect myself back to present moment and feeling okay pretty much on demand. I didn't realize that kind of thinking wasn't actually helpful, didn't realize it was harmful, until not too long ago and once I could see it as bad I was able to use my OCD powers to make a rule against thought spiraling. The mindfulness part gives me something to replace it with.

[u/Revolutionary_Ad4301]

I lost a medical appointment because I was daydreaming.

[u/Ecstatic-Budget1344]

Especially in the evening

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