To ask: do you have an inner-monologue?

[allthatgrace]

I don't have an inner-monologue and never realised that some people do. My thoughts are rapid, abstract and conceptual rather than verbal.

For example, if I am thinking that I'm hungry and want to start making dinner it takes the form of something like: concept of hunger+concept of dinner+concept of it being the evening/dinner time. After speaking to my family members they would have an inner-voice that actually says "I'm hungry, I think I'll go start dinner".

I have also always been confused about the idea of having an inner-critic that berates you. I've never heard an inner-voice say, for example, "nobody cares what you have to say, don't bother speaking, everything you say is stupid", instead I would just feel the sensation of shyness and wanting to stay quiet.

I can make myself have an inner-voice and I will use it occasionally, for example if I'm trying to remember a particular phrase or something but my default thinking is not an inner-monologue.

Which kind of thoughts do you have?

[Doyoumind]

I have a constant inner monologue. I'm also a maladaptive daydreamer though and I don't think you can be a daydreamer without one.

I'm very happy in my own company. I've often wondered if that's because I'm very chatty with myself!

[DinosaurDiana]

I constantly chat in my head. I’m usually telling people what I really think of them.

[WaltzesWithSnobs]

My experience mirrors Doyouminds very much. I have a lot of internal chatter. An awful lot. Sometimes I wish it would STFU!!

[blitzen]

Yes, I have one. I only found out fairly recently that some people don't have them, which blows my mind a bit.

[ThisIsStartingToBoreMe]

Another one here with a constant internal dialogue.

I thought it was normal

[MedusasBadHairDay]

There is a constant voice in my head, I wouldn't say monologue though as it chatters away to itself. Occasionally in a Q&A format.

Fwiw, the voice just interjected to tell me that this makes me sound like a twat, and a counter voice pointed out that its true so who cares.

I think it's why I find chatty people in real life difficult to cope with, it's noisy enough to start off with.

[Iyland]

Yes I am another who's internal monologue is a near constant chitter chatter. I hate it at bed time because it just doesn't switch off.

[Happyschool]

What an interesting thread. I have constant thoughts (exhausting amounts) but definitely not in narrative / sentence form I don’t think. They come up more as a feeling and broken phrases I think, I need to pay more attention.

[JayAlfredPrufrock]

Chattering monkeys here.

[Junobug]

Yes. Mine doesn't stop. I can not imagine not having one. What you describe
Just makes no sense to me.
When you read, do you read the words in your head or just kind of see and understand them?

[DinosaurDiana]

When I wake up in the night I’ve either got song lyrics going or I have a conversation with someone. Very often it’s something I’m worried about. It drives me batty !

[fluffythedragonslayer]

I have conversations with myself in my head. I go over past conversations I've had with people. I suffer with intrusive thoughts so my inner monologue is horrid sometimes. But yes, a voice in my head all the time. Not a "hearing voices" type, definitely an inner monologue. It can be exhausting sometimes I just need myself to shut the fuck up

[Slippy78]

Nope. I also have aphantasia so no mental images either.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34039054

[RoSEbuds6]

I think they're quite common and the whole 'affirmations' thing is meant to you reformat your inner dialogue. Changing a negative inner voice to a positive one.

[Puntastic]

Inner monologue here. Sometimes wish I could shut it up though!

[Hohofortherobbers]

Yes, my thoughts are like chatter in my head, I often find myself moving my lips in time with it and pulling expressions, my dm catches me out sometimes and pulls me up on it, I expect I look a little deranged when I do it

[lovethisjourneyforme]

It's news to me that there are people that DON'T have an internal monologue. So it's just quiet? All the time?

[ThisIsStartingToBoreMe]

I only found out a few years ago that not everybody has this and I was utterly stunned - I still can't really actually believe that people don't have this inner monologue? How are they processing information without it?

[Wafflewombat]

I have adhd & apparently one of the reasons sleep is more difficult is my brain never shuts up.

I was always amazed when my DH said he had periods of not thinking.

[Slippy78]

I only realised a couple of years ago the not everyone was the same as me.

[Youdontknowwhatyoureonabout]

Mine drives me nuts!

[DinosaurDiana]

I can’t imagine not having something going on in your head. It must be bliss.

[parietal]

I have an inner monologue but it is not going all the time. If I'm focused on something (e.g. painting), then I can just get on with it

[MedusasBadHairDay]

@Hohofortherobbers

Yes, my thoughts are like chatter in my head, I often find myself moving my lips in time with it and pulling expressions, my dm catches me out sometimes and pulls me up on it, I expect I look a little deranged when I do it

Oh I do that. I gesture too if I don't catch myself

[IndiaMay]

Yes a constant inner monologue. I discus the here and now, think over past conversations, imagine future/alternative moments in my mind, almost like a story or a book. I can day dream for hours and 'zone out'. Like if I'm running I can just let my mind wonder through thoughts and imagining conversations etc. Which allows me to remove myself from any uncomfortable feeling here and now. I am also quite comfortable in my own company.

What.you say doesnt make a lot of sense to me. I cant imagine it