Racing Thoughts

I'm just curious. What are your thought processes like?
What are they like when you're manic?
What are they like under normal circumstances?
What are they like when you're depressed?

For example, when I am manic, it is as if there is an internal monolague which never ceases. From the time I wake to the time I sleep, I can not think of a single moment where a thought is not in my mind. I can't even silence my thoughts because I either think about not thinking or some random thought pops in my head, and I forget what I was trying to do When I get like this, I'm almost always listening to music because the background noise actually helps me stay focused (odd, I know).

I've heard that some people have multiple thoughts at once. This intrigues me. Do any of you have this? My thoughts jump rapidly but never more than one at a time.

If I'm depressed, my mind sometimes goes blank. If it's not blank, I'm usually thinking about how miserable I am or what I can do to make myself feel better. I have been known to sit and stare at a wall without thinking anything from time to time for extended periods.

Normally, my thoughts move pretty quick, but they do stop when I'm trying to fall asleep. My thoughts jump from subject so subject pretty quick, but I usually return to the first subject.

I think alot about everything. I like your discripttion of an internal monologe, that sounds like me. Sometimes I just talk in my mind thinking of everything I would say to certain people as if they were there and I try and imagine what they would say. I've experienced multiple thoughts at once. I'd describe it like being at Best Buy and all the tv's being on different channels at the same time.

I know what you mean about background noise. I think the reason it helps is because it gives a part of your mind one thing to focus on while you use the other part. Otherwise its like two parts of your brain are competing and you can't stay focused on one or the other.

Unfortunatley, my mind doesn't turn off when I'm trying to go to sleep but I'm hoping the meds will help more with that.

I'm not really sure what my mind is like when I'm depressed. I don't know if my mind ever really goes blank. And when I try I just keep thinking of things. I can stare off into space but even then I'm still thinking of something.

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I've experienced multiple thoughts at once. I'd describe it like being at Best Buy and all the tv's being on different channels at the same time.

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I hear people say that often. I've never had that experience, but it sounds mighty confusing.

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Unfortunatley, my mind doesn't turn off when I'm trying to go to sleep but I'm hoping the meds will help more with that.

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Same. I find that I sleep much lighter when I'm manic. I can usually hear everything around me and recall it when I wake up. I usually don't even know I'm sleeping unless I drool on myself. I actually think in my sleep too, but the recall is pretty limited.

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I'm not really sure what my mind is like when I'm depressed. I don't know if my mind ever really goes blank. And when I try I just keep thinking of things. I can stare off into space but even then I'm still thinking of something.

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I'm usually ruminating about how miserable I am when depressed, but my mind does go blank. Although, I would tell you otherwise if I was manic.