Busy brain.

[wheresmyhairytoe]

Does everyone have a busy brain?

I just can't switch it off, I have constant thoughts going round, conversations I've had, what I could have said, made up scenarios, pictures flashing up, film reels of events constantly playing, music, I hear every noise.

I try meditation, won't work anymore. I managed to fall asleep to the TV last night but I woke an hour ago and it's so busy again. I dread the quiet, relaxing time as that's when it starts, I guess I can ignore it when I'm busy.

[wheresmyhairytoe]

Just me then.

[mrsnec]

I have this too. I kind of just accept it. I haven't found anything that helps really but I do manage to sleep ok so I'm not too worried about it.

[changeofscene]

And me... but no real advice sorry. I try different meditation techniques or just try and focus my thoughts on one thing.

[mrsnec]

I did try headspace and mindfulness techniques. They actually made it worse! I think quite a lot of the cliches are true. Things like just doing things for yourself.

[jogalong]

I had this also and it was very difficult to live with. I started taking a low dose of sertraline 25mgs and it really really helped. I don't have this constant business in my brain, going through conversations over and over and always cringing at what I did or didn't say.
Reading your message makes me realise how far I've come and how I do not miss my busy brain.

[minnimiss]

I have this! It's also much worse at hormonal times if the month, like when I have PMT! Kind of intrusive thoughts that are constant and can be about anything and everting! The other night I had one line of a song on repeat in my head, but it's often things I think I've done wrong or could have handled better.

[granadagirl]

I have constant chatter going in my head
I can be sat talking to dp and in my head I’m having senarios going on.
How I feel, what someone said, do I feel ok,
Why am I so tired all the time.

The thing with mindfulness meditation is to
Allow things to come and go even noises
but take no notice and just label them
Worry
Happy
Sad
Irritable
Car
Bus
Kids

[wheresmyhairytoe]

I'm on 50mg of Sertraline already but I need to up it I think.
Had a breakdown at work this week, feel like I'm slowly slipping into insanity...

[granadagirl]

It’s horrible I sympathise
Take care off yourself, long baths. Read a book if you can
If your tired sleep don’t forget to eat

Just do a day at a time, if that’s to much an hour at a time. Praise your self whatever you manage to get through.

Don’t up it to high, maybe another 25mg of half of that. Otherwise you’ll have SE issues (heightened anxiety) as well as the way you feel

[mrsnec]

Reading and long baths do help me sometimes although with reading it definitely has to be something I'm into. I find myself so easily distracted.

In my case it's definitely hormonal. I'm on about day 3 of my cycle and currently on repeat in my head is a scenario with some friends I no longer see and an ex from about 25 years ago. Because I made a descison back then that could have had a very different outcome.

I've never gone down the medication route. I'm scared of it.

I like the suggestion of labelling the thoughts. I will try that.

[wheresmyhairytoe]

I'm struggling with reading as can't concentrate and baths make me think as it's too quiet.

[SoItStops]

I always thought this was normal?

[KingaRoo]

I've started knitting. Concentrating on something physical and having to count stitches really helps to stop my constant thoughts.

[LouiseAnders]

This topic caught my eye as thinking and pregnancy is something I am very interested in as a researcher.

If anybody is interested in sharing their experiences under the mumsnet research area NPF surveys
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/surveys_students_non_profits_and_start_ups there is a study titled
Female participants needed. Research on thinking and memory, mood and sleep during pregnancy and following childbirth. This was posted on the 05th October. I am the lead researcher on the project. While it doesn't specifically look at 'busy brains' it does look at the relationship between thinking and memory, mood and sleep.

Good luck everybody with your busy brains!
Louise