BRAIN ON FIRE

[sweetiepye]

Are you always thinking ? Are you able to turn your brain off? Can you think of nothing? My brain is always thinking unless I'm sleeping and even then I'm not sure. I've been told there are people who can rest their brains, and they don't always have their brains engaged. I want to know if this is possible and I'm serious about it. Thanks, Pam

[Gh0st]

well I understand that this is achieved by practicing meditation, but it takes time and effort, personally I do not think there is a way to turn off the mind and even less when you have anxiety or depression or any disorder of these, bit it would be good that you try to meditate and try to be at peace with your thoughts, because in the end they are exactly that, yours, you may not fully master them but you can decide how important they will be...

[Celtic27]

Hello my friend when I seen your post I said snap I to have things on my mind all the time it's at its worst when I go to bed and I struggle to sleep! If I get some sleep I get bad nightmares and waken up agitated wish things were not like this all of the time I take diazepam to help calm my thoughts down which helps! I hope things get better for you soon let me know how you are on all the best david x

[Hidden]

Hello Pat

I think my brain is really slowing down these days. Not sure it is the medications as I am still reducing my drugs at this time. When I am on here or trying to read I sometimes skip what I am typing or discussing with people.

Not matter what I do my brain seems to have slowed down, I sleep well enough although I dream just before I awake in the morning, and that can be quite unpleasant

The last two dates I have been cleaning out the computer and I have really had problems remembering past contributions on here. I had left my E Mails right back to my Birthday last year, the 28/08. some my fingers are really sore. 8000 E/Mails

So I have noticed changes, I think I have not diverted myself to much to answer your blog.

Life seems to throw wobblers

BOB

[Jeff1943]

Surely sleep is meant to refresh the mind as well as the body. I know I dream every night but the dream phase only takes up a small part of the time we are asleep.

I'm sorry some have difficulty sleeping so will sing my song again to all as your mothers would have sung it:

"Golden slumbers fill your eyes.

Smiles awake you when you rise.

Sleep pretty darling do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby.

Once there was a way

To get back homewards.

Once there was a way

To get back home.

Golden slumbers fill your eyes.

Smiles awake you when you rise.

Sleep pretty baby do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby."

I can hear you all snoring!

[sweetiepye]

Absolutely lovely.

[sweetiepye]

I should have made myself clearer . I am referring to just normal thinking no anxiety or depression.For instance, if I ask my Husband what he is thinking about, he sometimes says nothing. Nothing at all ,I ask, not believing this is possible. Now I don't need to know what he is thinking, I only want to know if he has periods without thought.I never have periods without thought. My son in law and grandson also say they have periods of no thoughts. My daughter and I just look at each other, totally taken aback. We cannot fathom this and for some reason find it upsetting.

[Hidden in reply to sweetiepye]

Before I answer, how have you been feeling? As I recall you were having some really rough times weaning off of a medication. You doing ok?

In answer to your question ... my mind is CONSTANTLY going, and not only in the anxiety/depression mode. The ONLY time my mind is (supposedly) clear of thoughts is when I’m in actual deep sleep.

I don’t have periods without thought.

[sweetiepye in reply to Hidden]

I start withdrawal of the "big" drug on Monday. My Doctor said to count on Feb. being my withdrawal month. I'll probably be posting for support so you can follow along with me.

I can't imagine not thinking, I hope I hear from someone who doesn't think. That sounds like an insult, but it's not meant to be. Pam

[thinkingpositively]

Whenever I feel like I can’t stop thinking, I try to listen and focus to music to get myself to calm down. I also try to listen to my heartbeat, breathing, etc. It’s impossible to stop thinking completely, but I think it’s less overwhelming if you can just focus on one thing. Hopefully this can help!

[sweetiepye in reply to thinkingpositively]

I'm not trying to stop thinking, I want to know if some people don't think all the time. I want to know what that's like.

[Purpledreamer in reply to sweetiepye]

Would you know what it’s like if you weren’t thinking at the time? I’m not trying to be profound here but if you aren’t thinking then there is no explanation to what it’s like. Not one that you could put into words. This is very interesting to me too. XX

[Hidden]

You can improve that with yoga and meditation .

[sweetiepye in reply to Hidden]

I'm not trying to improve anything. I only want to know if some people don't think as much as others. Just normal every day thoughts.

[Hidden]

Hi Pam

From my own experience and observations, some of us ruminate/think constantly, it feels like every second, but there are times when we don’t I’m sure..like if I’m distracted I won’t ruminate, but I’m not always distracted enough.. I can only speak for me really. I overthink a lot which seems to mean I think a lot ...but I’m sure we don’t always notice when we are not really thinking anything much ...our minds persistently wander..

I used to ruminate a heck of a lot more than I do now..it was exhausting and very prominent to me..

It’s good to have some peace from persistent thoughts as it is exhausting and I’m sure not everyone does it, in the height of any anxiety for example thoughts are so persistent..so it is how we think too that comes into it for me...I could be thinking peaceful thoughts, maybe that’s true of some people too..I reckon our minds wander and think persistently ..but it’s whether it’s exhausting thoughts or just like a nothing ness wander off and on to things, that you don’t notice as much , like background thoughts,,so in answer to your question maybe those people wouldn’t think they constantly have thoughts in their head ..as they are mellow and light

Hope I’m making some sense here ..I’m waffling,,

Good wishes 🌺

[Nikiskian]

Been struggling with nonstop thinking, and other health issues for 20+ years...recently have been researching meditation and yoga teachings. Our world is getting very chaotic, and finding a quite calm is; I feel, needed by everyone! Repetition is 🔑.

[sweetiepye in reply to Nikiskian]

I don't consider this a problem.

[Hidden]

I agree my mind tends to run constantly

The only thing that helps me is I start to read a book and before I know it zzzzxx

Of course that’s just me

And of course there are meds but

I dint want to get into that

[wysereveryday]

I ask my fiance "what are you thinking about?" He says nothing and i think it must be bliss. My mind is always going. The hamster on the wheel. I wonder if my hamster could ever just take a break and everything just be a peaceful blank slate for awhile. How could my fiance NOT think of anything. AT. ALL....... NOTHING i cannot comprehend. And i too, would like to know

[sweetiepye in reply to wysereveryday]

You get it, exactly what I feel and want to know. Astounding isn't it ?

[Hidden]

Gees those folks are fortunate to be able to turn theirs off... the only time I can turn my mind off is doing jigsaw puzzles and playing Solitaire Microsoft Collection....other than that as I tell people I may not look busy but believe me I am..my mind is working overtime most days and I think even nights as I battle with sleep...

I so wish I had the answer for you....if you find it or me...we'll let each other know, deal?

Here's wishing you peace of mind my dear one...

Sparkles & dump trucks of groovy love, peace, light, joy & hugs Pam!

[sweetiepye in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I will keep you informed. Isn't this the most curious thing ?

[Hidden in reply to sweetiepye]

To be honest with you I've never given it a thought...I would of thought at some point it would cross my mind....never has until know...maybe we are just staying ahead of the game, ha!

WE sound the same...I always say I should be able to drop some pounds with how active my mind is, hasn't worked yet!

May your day be as beautiful as you!

Sparkles & dump trucks of groovy love, peace, light, joy & hugs Pam!

[brycesara]

Hello Pam, my husband has been suffering from this of always thinking. I got a book "Headache in the Pelvis" by wise-Anderson. It is dealing with pelvic pain but there is a long section about extended paradoxical relaxalation. It explains it in great detail. This may benefit you. You can find the book on amazon. The one I got was the definitive addition published 2018. God be with you and praying for you. Sara

[Jamie2018]

In always thinking of something happy or sad or anything in between.dont know if its humaney possible to not think of nothing at all after all we are not brain dead. Sweet dreams sweetiepie

[sweetiepye in reply to Jamie2018]

That is what I think too, but there are people who say they aren't always thinking. I am wondering is that is possible. Personally I am not having problems along this line. If anything I would hate shutting my brain down. People have assumed because I asked a question that I'm having a problem . I am not, I'm just curious

[Alta-mae]

If something, even some little things happen, I get very obsessed with them. People have suggested to just let them go. It's not always easy. I've had racing thoughts myself. Very hard to just shut them off and focus.

[sweetiepye in reply to Alta-mae]

I am not asking about racing thoughts, just every day normal thinking. I appreciate you answering, thank you.

[Krn210]

Yes my brain is always going. Always thinking of something. Even when I meditate I have to frequently remind myself to stop.

[sweetiepye in reply to Krn210]

Exactly, thank you. Now are there people who for no particular reason just don't think all the time ?

[Krn210 in reply to sweetiepye]

I’m not sure. I would like to say yes, but I don’t see how that is possible lol. Probably because I can’t just turn it off. I can’t really even comprehend what that would be like.

[sweetiepye in reply to Krn210]

I can't imagine it. That's why I'm so interested in it.

[Balthazar]

Hello all. My brain is on all the time. However, I do not think ( no pun intended) that you will receive a definitive answer. Why questions are frequently unanswerable. I wish it were not so.

Try NOT to think about why your mind is not relaxing; otherwise it works harder to solve a riddle it cannot solve. As some suggest do yoga, reading ((spiritual writings if so suited) ....If the mind wanders a thousand times, just try to bring it back to a mantra. Eg Peace, love , Jesus, etc. Sleep problems can only be improved “indirectly “. Focusing on why I am not resting only fuels the angst.

[sweetiepye in reply to Balthazar]

I have no problem relaxing my brain. I have plenty of activates to sooth a brain as well as plenty to stimulate one. I am interested in people who don't think all the time as a natural way of being.

[Balthazar in reply to sweetiepye]

I understand. I wish I did not think all the time too but since that is not me, I learn from them as best as I can.

[Hidden]

I wish there was a turn off button, I would be grateful.

[sweetiepye in reply to Hidden]

I do think you can train your brain, but I don't think everyone has to. I think there are people who just don't engage as much with the world around them.

[tir2]

I'm always thinking negative thoughts it causes anxiety I can't turn it off

[dbzh63]

Yes I'm always thinking. Cannot turn it off. Unfortunately 95% of it is negative.

[mentalgood]

Hi Sweetiepye!

Thanks for bringing this topic up. I am a man, so I'll speak for them... hah.

When men say they have nothing on their mind, they are actually lying. What?

Men have thoughts all the time, they are valued differently though from the way women value them. Note, men also may be embarrassed by what they are thinking and thus say nothing is there. Men don't turn off their thoughts, they just have minimalistic thinking at times. But when you put that same man on a task, their mind buzzes. Sometimes men think about what they are thinking and get disturbed and try to turn them off. Turning them off can be very difficult if they have no training for this. As a christian man I have learned about renewing my mind. It's a process that I allow the Holy Spirit to train me. He has taught me how to capture thoughts, analyze them and throw out the ones that are disturbing and keep the ones that edify me and others. I know that my thoughts will eventually come out of my mouth, so I make it a point to think about things that are good, hopeful and encouraging. I used to have anxiety that put me in the hospital (I had a failed business venture). They threw me into a deep depression too. So I know the depths of thoughts that can corrupt hope and leave you in a pit. Medicine, therapy, prayer, meditation on scripture all helped me to "normalize" my thinking brain. Hope this helps. Jim

[B4andafter]

Yes, my mind is always going and moves from one thought to another. I envy those individuals when asked, "what are you thinking" and they reply"nothing". Mostly males (...lol). I worry that I may have missed something which of course doesn't help my anxiety. I've tried deep breathing as well as meditation, but it's hard to keep intrusive thoughts away. Like Celtic27 it's worse at night because there are no distractions. And, if it's really bad I take 1/2 of tablet of clonazepam. You're not alone, I've met others like this; typically they also worry more than usual. I like to think of it as a sign of genius and I'm just waiting to think of a masterful solution to the world's problems!