Conversations in my head??

LegacyUser

Firstly, can I say I’m not actually hearing voices but I am driving myself slowly insane.
I am constantly anticipating conversations with people before they happen, as in running through what they might say, what I might say, particularly if there is conflict involved (personal or work related). Sometimes these “conversations” go way off on tangents. It’s causing a lot of stress it’s really starting to drive me mad, I can’t seem to stop it. Does anyone else have this problem?

LegacyUser

UnregBusy wrote: »

Firstly, can I say I’m not actually hearing voices but I am driving myself slowly insane.
I am constantly anticipating conversations with people before they happen, as in running through what they might say, what I might say, particularly if there is conflict involved (personal or work related). Sometimes these “conversations” go way off on tangents. It’s causing a lot of stress it’s really starting to drive me mad, I can’t seem to stop it. Does anyone else have this problem?

for god sake, its a normal enough thing to do, the fact that it is driving you mad is weird but there ya go... if u have to have a particularly difficult conversation with someone it is natural to try and have pre-emptive responses for any rebuke they may have.... get over it and relax.

Dizzyblonde

I think everybody does this to a certain extent. But if it's becoming a problem and interfering with your life you need to ask yourself why. Are you very stressed? Or depressed? If so you might need to seek help.

craichoe

UnregBusy wrote: »

Firstly, can I say I’m not actually hearing voices but I am driving myself slowly insane.
I am constantly anticipating conversations with people before they happen, as in running through what they might say, what I might say, particularly if there is conflict involved (personal or work related). Sometimes these “conversations” go way off on tangents. It’s causing a lot of stress it’s really starting to drive me mad, I can’t seem to stop it. Does anyone else have this problem?

I think everyone does ???

It can be getting a tune stuck in your head, or thinking about a noise you heard, thinking too much about a problem etc.

I suspect its affecting your sleep ? I can generally make my mind blank, perhaps you could try meditation exercises

How Strange

I hope that's normal because I do it all the time

I've always done it and sometimes I find myself talking away to myself like a loon. Again, I've always done it so while it may seem like insanity to other people to me its totally normal.

biko

Everyone does it, it's part of preparing for a meeting or such.
It's when it takes over that you should see a psychologist.

LegacyUser

Thanks for all the replies

(Can't see the quote button!)

Quote "I think everybody does this to a certain extent. But if it's becoming a problem and interfering with your life you need to ask yourself why. Are you very stressed? Or depressed? If so you might need to seek help. "

I find its happening so much, it is making me stressed. I'm generally bad at handling stress and find it hard to "switch off"

Quote "I suspect its affecting your sleep ? I can generally make my mind blank, perhaps you could try meditation exercises"

Yeah definitely affecting my sleep. I have given relaxation and breathing exercises a go again recently, but I find it extremely hard. Thoughts keep creeping in. Is it a case of practice makes perfect?

Quote "I've always done it and sometimes I find myself talking away to myself like a loon. Again, I've always done it so while it may seem like insanity to other people to me its totally normal. "

I do think its normal to a certain extent, and I think everyone talks to themselves, but I just worry that with me, its the fact that I'm doing it constantly, and I suppose its always in a negative way.

Marksie

the quote button is on the bottom right (as you look) of the post, next to the edit.
The multiquote is next to it and its excellent for quoting more than one as you click on it for each post you wish to quote

helimachoptor

Op I ahve conversations with myself all of the time, usually when i have to make a decision and i am trying to view it from different angles. Also when i am meeting people i always try to anticipate what might come up in the convo.

I also talk to my girlfriend a lot when shes not there, not having conversations but saying i love you etc... I waited til we were together a long time before i told her that though, she thought it was cute!

egan007

UnregBusy wrote: »

Firstly, can I say I’m not actually hearing voices but I am driving myself slowly insane.
I am constantly anticipating conversations with people before they happen, as in running through what they might say, what I might say, particularly if there is conflict involved (personal or work related). Sometimes these “conversations” go way off on tangents. It’s causing a lot of stress it’s really starting to drive me mad, I can’t seem to stop it. Does anyone else have this problem?

Quite the smokin
Na just kiddin, This is normal, causes range from low confidence, low self esteem, worry...etc.
The good news is that you are a Thinker. (no,Not the kind that Travels )
Not enough people are thinking these days they just just let the Xfactor and Co run every thought process in their brains.

In my very humble opinion, you should buy a note book and pencil and start writing. Taking your thoughts from your head onto paper is a great way of making them tangible and controllable. Keeping them in a note book keeps them private to you. Don't get disappointed if you are not WB Yeats, I suspect his first writings were weirder than you could even imagine.

Beanstalk

Hey OP,

I do the exact same! sometimes I have to stop myself when i realise im pacing about the room having an entirely full conversation, or anticipating a conversation, or even re-enacting old conversations, especially if they're funny or interesting or whatever. I do it ALL THE TIME!

I agree with you when you say they can drive you mad sometimes, but at the same time, I think it can be good to go over conversations in your head, it'll definitely leave you more prepared for different situations....

Sometimes i have trouble sleeping too, but I always find that worrying about not being able to sleep definitely contributes to staying awake longer. Also if you start doing things like breathing exercises in all probability you're actually thinking about why you're doing the breathing exercises at the same time, which doesn't really take your mind off things. Sometimes i just listen to music when im in bed to help take my mind of having conversations in my head.

Also, if you see something as a problem, then it becomes an even bigger problem, try to think of these conversations in a more positive way. Harder than it sounds, but trust me, definitely possible. For example, im often on my own while working night shifts, and if i didn't have these conversations in my head, work would be way duller.

humanji

Marksie wrote: »

the quote button is on the bottom right (as you look) of the post, next to the edit.
The multiquote is next to it and its excellent for quoting more than one as you click on it for each post you wish to quote

I don't think the multi-quote option is available for unregged posters and sometimes the quote button doesn't show up.

OP, it's perfectly normal. But I'd also wonder are you going through a particulatly stressful time at the moment? It just sounds like things are getting on top of you and you're just trying to cope. If you are feeling stressed, you need to take some time out for yourself and try to do something to enjoy yourself.

Overheal

Nothing wrong with it - its how we prepare ourselves. "whats the worst that could happen? Well they could say... - and then I'd say.... - "

If you're having these conversations in favor of the real conversations though, I might be a tad concerned

Overheal

Nothing wrong with it - its how we prepare ourselves. "whats the worst that could happen? Well they could say... - and then I'd say.... - "

If you're having these conversations in favor of the real conversations though, I might be a tad concerned

TomMc

Yes, its normal. Discursive or chatterbox mind. At least you might have a witty answer or good one liner next time you are put on the spot, so to speak. When you think about it we love our own thoughts, they are very personal and all that, but we would not want our worst enemy to live in our heads for a day or live in someone else's head either. It is funny but true. A fly on the wall, well that's another story.

Also, can't remember what it is called (a neurosis of sorts and don't worry nobody has a 100% perfectly balanced mind, we are all a few % off balance ... LOL) but repeating certain sayings over and over is another way of protecting ourselves (defense mechanism) from something which we are concerned about.

The thing is not to let it worry you, this rabbiting mind. The more attention you give to it the more energy you feed it with. Just let go and have a couldn't careless attitude to it all. But letting go does not involve thinking about it or its a double edged sword. You go back to where you started from. Project your attention outwards to people and things or connect with the senses, seeing, hearing, feeling etc. It is like when you try to sink in a swimming pool you float and when you try to float you sink. A paradox but true. You never remember falling asleep because you have let go. Same principal.

Anyway, good luck from someone normal, but certifiable!!!

TomMc

Also for what its worth, if I ever think about something (say business related) at night I tend to see the negative side, but in the morning the positive one. A tired mind is not a judicious one and so gets things wrong alot of the time. If not I must be an early bird and not a night owl. I also find that if I have not had a physically exerting day and start thinking of important business matters when its time for forty winks, the mind starts racing or is so fresh and alert, I just cannot sleep.

A sport or some physical exercise (if applicable) may help you out.

RuailleBuaille

TomMc wrote: »

Also for what its worth, if I ever think about something (say business related) at night I tend to see the negative side, but in the morning the positive one. A tired mind is not a judicious one and so gets things wrong alot of the time. If not I must be an early bird and not a night owl. I also find that if I have not had a physically exerting day and start thinking of important business matters when its time for forty winks, the mind starts racing or is so fresh and alert, I just cannot sleep.

A sport or some physical exercise (if applicable) may help you out.

TomMc I think I love you, what you said makes so much sense and I shall now think of you when the evening 'OMG what did I say/ do that for' paranoia kicks in!

OP thank you for your post, I thought I was alone in that and I thought it was excess smoking that caused it, I'm so relieved to hear others are the same. I got so bad that I had one particular friend I had to stop seeing because I was waging wars in my head so often that when an issue did arise (often!) it got way out of hand. I guess at the end of the day it's better to be exercising your brain and your skills of rationality than to sit there slack jawed and never give anything deep thought.
Also, if you're having trouble sleeping, try and start a wind-down period an hour before you head to bed, no tv or reading, nothing that stimulates. Good luck!

TomMc

Good God, first a valentine's day card from a mystery woman and now someone on boards singing my praises, what a week - my head is swelling up big time!

And if little old me (known for sobriety, non smoking or coffee drinking) and my mind can go walkabout to never never land and at the drop of a hat, I think I better stay away from morrocan woodbines or else I might unearth a real can of worms.

***

I remember on Faulty Towers that Silvie chap also from Glenroe, who was the dodgy builder and very laid back with a slovenly work ethic. Him saying "If the good Lord wanted us to worry, he'd have given us things to worry about."

geminilady

heya, Dont worry its probably cause ur stressed. Its not going to help u stressing about it, its only going to make it worse. Just relax and stop stressing! Best of luck! : )

Squeeonline

I am so glad that Im not the only one who does this (thinking thru conversations). I*thought i was going insane and I*was thinking of posting something similar to this here.

I*also find it hard to "shut down" but usually when Im tired enough, theres not much of a problem. I find physical exercise works well, so gym or whatever gets you tired. Go for a jog and clear your mind. Granted I have never done that, but I*have a feeling it would work if i could motivate myself to go out.

If you find it hard to sleep, maybe you need to mentally tire yourself a bit more.*I suggest reading. It will take your mind off things if nothing else.

~Squee

rain on

I do this a lot as well, especially when I haven't seen my boyfriend for a while I tend to have imaginary conversations with him in my head

I've actually found it quite useful from time to time, during one of my Leaving Cert maths exams I'd put down an answer and then had an imaginary conversation with the resident maths genius who told me it was completely the wrong answer.. so I checked it over again, realised it was wrong and came up with the right one! It can be useful for helping you to see alternative points of view and suchlike. Though I agree it can get annoying when it seems your brain just doesn't want to shut the hell up.

It is normal though