I can't stop thinking - My mind is constantly busy - Looking for the answer .

[backstreet]

 

Sorry this may sound like I'm rambling on and this may sound like a '' pull your self together '' sort of post , but to me this situation is real and its becoming a nightmare. Going back many years , ever since I moved to Thailand and got married to my wonderful Thai wife, my mind / thinking process has steadily began to become what seems constantly overloaded . Every day now as soon as I wake up my thoughts go straight into overdrive, I'm thinking about this and I'm thinking about that , what if this happens or what if that happens or I have to go and do this or I have to do that . My mind is endlessly thinking and in most cases worrying about my life in general. This curse is effecting my sleep pattern , where getting a good nights sleep is now a luxury. As I lay in bed trying to go to sleep, my mind is still mulling over things that I know need to be done the next day , or planning on how to achieve some thing. My home desk is full of to do lists. 

 

To try and help sort of calm me down , Ive tried natural supplements. Ive watched endless YouTube videos , to no avail. I now seem to be more susceptible to medical complaints, which I'm wondering if is due to my immune system being low . Ive also started to eat more comfort foods, my mind being in a state of what seems constantly overly active, is wearing me out. 

 

I don't drink alcohol , and I cannot exercise  due to a foot issue.

 

I must admit that I'm not that keen in talking to a medical professional .

 

I was wondering if there was some thing drug related that I could take on a daily basis , that may help in calming my mind down .

 

I'm in my late 70's and feel that at my time of life I should by now be enjoying my golden years , but sadly my mind just won't let me rest in peace . 

 

 

 

[KannikaP]

A good smoke/ edible/ THC oil drops would do the job.

[The Cyclist]

12 minutes ago, backstreet said:

As I lay in bed trying to go to sleep, my mind is still mulling over things that I know need to be done the next day , or planning on how to achieve some thing. My home desk is full of to do lists. 

 

Don't mean to sound unkind, but how is the above possible for someone in their late 70's.

 

Waking up every morning, still breathing, with a beating heart at that age is a bonus. Start enjoying it and throw out the crap in your life that you do not need.

[timendres]

6 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

A good smoke/ edible/ THC oil drops would do the job.

 

For some, this is true. But for others, it can just increase paranoia and anxiety.

Drugs (supplements, whatever) are usually not the best answer, although sometimes necessary in the short term.

For myself, it is my hobbies (playing guitar, trading, walking around new places) that helps calm my mind.

If your mind is occupied with enjoyable things in the moment, it is not obsessing over the future.

 

[Hummin]

Can try Lithium oretate easily bought on iherb.

 

Do some research, and see if its something you can benefit from.

 

I used it for a year bak in 2016 - 2017, and be it placebo or it actually works, I do not know, but for me it was a great long term still temporary solution without side effects, except, better sleep, and more calm. 

 

Need to spend a few months on low dose of lithium oretate. 

 

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/low-dose-lithium-a-new-frontier-in-mental-health-treatment

 

 

[Will B Good]

Even with your foot issue I'd try to give some of these chair yoga exercises a good go......I find my mind races if I fail to get a good stint of exercise each day.

[OneMoreFarang]

Try logical thinking. It helps.

 

1. What is the problem?

2. Is it important? If no, then don't think about it.

3. Can you change it? If you can't change it, then what's the point of thinking about it?

4. If you can change it, then think about how. And then do that!

 

About 1. Something like "my wife does not love me" is not the problem. The problem might be that you feel unhappy because you think your wife does not love you. Make it clear you think about the actual problem and not some undefined something.

 

Many things are not important, or you can't change them. What's the point about thinking about these things? You just waste a lot of time.

 

And if it is important and you can possibly change it, now then you have something important to actually think about.

[johnnybangkok]

You may be suffering from intrusive thoughts which is a psychological condition that produces unwanted thought, image, or ideas, making the thinker feel uncomfortable. These thoughts pop into the brain on their own, and they're not something a person is trying to think about. I know you mentioned not wanting to see someone about this but I highly recommend you do. A close friend of mine suffered from this to the point he took his own life. Now I’m not saying for one moment you have this or the outcome will be as nearly horrific but you really should go and get checked out from a qualified individual rather than the armchair doctors (including myself) on AN. 

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, johnnybangkok said:

You may be suffering from intrusive thoughts which is a psychological condition that produces unwanted thought, image, or ideas, making the thinker feel uncomfortable. These thoughts pop into the brain on their own, and they're not something a person is trying to think about. I know you mentioned not wanting to see someone about this but I highly recommend you do. A close friend of mine suffered from this to the point he took his own life. Now I’m not saying for one moment you have this or the outcome will be as nearly horrific but you really should go and get checked out from a qualified individual rather than the armchair doctors (including myself) on AN. 

Can be many underlying serious conditions within mental health diagnosis that is best treated with counseling with a professional. 

[johnnybangkok]

Just now, Hummin said:

Can be many underlying serious conditions within mental health diagnosis that is best treated with counseling with a professional. 

Agreed. Was just suggesting one that I know personally about but whatever it is, the poster needs to seek professional help. 

[Negita43]

51 minutes ago, backstreet said:

Every day now as soon as I wake up my thoughts go straight into overdrive, I'm thinking about this and I'm thinking about that

I believe that as you get older anxiety can become a problem. But I think you will find that the answer to your problem is........

42

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, Negita43 said:

I believe that as you get older anxiety can become a problem. But I think you will find that the answer to your problem is........

42

 

 

Bit of a fiddle re units....but The Hubble Constant is closing in on 42 millimeters per second per parsec.

[Seppius]

Try magnesium glycinate suppliment DYOR

 

Anxiety and Stress Relief

 

Magnesium is crucial in regulating neurotransmitters that influence mood and stress levels. With its calming properties, magnesium glycinate can help alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation, making it a valuable supplement for mental health.

 

https://www.medicinesteam.co.uk/post/complete-guide-to-magnesium-glycinate

 

[Tropicalevo]

I was under the impression that if your mind stops thinking, then you are dead.

My mind is also constantly on the go and my to do list is two A 5 columns - knock one off, and two more appear.

Luckily, 5 minutes reading when my head hits the pillow and I am asleep.

Unluckily, 10 years of an enlarged prostate have b*ggered up my bladder, so every 2 - 3 hours it is bathroom time again.

[3NUMBAS]

1amitriptaline every day to relax your brain

[bkk6060]

You may be suffering from mental illness.  See a Psychiatrist.

[scubascuba3]

Logically think through the things you are worried about and tackle them, ignoring them won't help. Write them down, tackle them one by one, as your anxiety drops your thinking will drop

[cdemundo]

I have had this problem to some extent as well.

 

One thing that helped me was learning about the Common Cognitive Distortions.

You can find a lot of articles about them online.

Learning about them doesn't stop you from worrying but it allows you to identify when you are thinking in a distorted way.

Learning about them helped me to control these thoughts after they kind of spontaneously arise,

I can "nip them in the bud" and dismiss them when I recognize they are distortions.

Might be helpful to you as well.

 

Here is one list, all the lists you find are very similar.

 

Cognitive Distortions

Cognitive distortions are irrational thoughts that shape how you see the world, how you feel, and how you
act. It’s normal to have these thoughts occasionally, but they can be harmful when frequent or extreme.

Magnification and minimization: Exaggerating or minimizing the importance of events. You might
believe your own achievements are unimportant or that your mistakes are excessively important.
Catastrophizing: Seeing only the worst possible outcomes of a situation.
Overgeneralization: Making broad interpretations from a single or few events. “I felt awkward during
my job interview. I am always so awkward.”
Magical thinking: The belief that thoughts, actions, or emotions influence unrelated situations. "If I
hadn't hoped something bad would happen to him, he wouldn't have gotten into an accident."
Personalization: The belief that you are responsible for events outside of your control. “My mom is
always upset. She would be fine if I did more to help her.”
Jumping to conclusions: Interpreting the meaning of a situation with little or no evidence.
Mind reading: Interpreting the thoughts and beliefs of others without adequate evidence. “She
wouldn’t go on a date with me. She probably thinks I’m ugly.”
Fortune telling: The expectation that a situation will turn out badly without adequate evidence.
Emotional reasoning: The assumption that emotions reflect the way things really are. “I feel like a bad
friend, therefore I must be a bad friend.”
Disqualifying the positive: Recognizing only the negative aspects of a situation while ignoring the
positive. You might receive many compliments on an evaluation, but focus on the single piece of
negative feedback.
“Should” statements: The belief that things should be a certain way. “I should always be perfect.”
All-or-nothing thinking: Thinking in absolutes such as “always,” “never,” or “every.” “I never do a good
enough job on anything.”

 

https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/cognitive-distortions

[Andre0720]

I would think that the best way to clear your mind, is to get a word that will force your mind to focus on something trivial. Like the word 'color', get your mind to see some colors.

Similar to  a 'mantra, a word that is meant to clear your mind. Just repeat it over and over again. Any word can become your mantra.

When you have one, you cherish it, and you use it at night to focus on nothing, with is the vector to a nice sleep.

Temna, Azzor, any word that will trigger the spell checker. Create one, and use it, you will not find a better friend....

Regards

[Sheryl]

Do not try to self medicate, it is lkely to worsen matters.

 

You may have an anxiety disorder. You need to talk to a psychologist or trained counselor.

 

Where in Thailand are you? 

[jas007]

Don't we all spend our days thinking about things?  Even when we're asleep, we dream.  I suppose at some point a person may have a mental disorder, but to assume that's the case just because a person't mind is always working is a bit much. 

[Moonlover]

Every morning, when I start up my computer I see the following 3 statements on my desktop.

 

    #1 Let go of Worries.

 

     #2 Let go of Thoughts.

 

      #3 Enjoy the Moment.

 

These are the 3 Golden Rules as laid down by my Qigong master and he may just have the answer to your problems. But I'm not going to try and convince you of this, rather I suggest that you visit his website and see what you think. I'm just an enthusiastic pupil who has greatly benefited from his teachings.

 

https://flowingzen.com/start-here/

[DaRoadrunner]

Take up a hobby or interest that occupies your mind. Mine is chasing girls..... Farang think too mut.

[mstevens]

You mention you have tried supplements. Which have you tried?

If you haven't tried them already, vitamin B1 and Magnesium may help.

 

B1 can lower stress and help to "deactivate" an overactive mind. 100 mg of B1 twice daily may help.

 

And Magnesium (Glycinate is the best form) may also help. It has a calming effect. Several hundred mg daily in split doses throughout the day would be worth trying.

Both of these supplements are inexpensive and safe to try.

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

Hello @backstreet

 

I have experienced similar issues so I know how hard it can be, and what I find is that some simple meditation helps. Also a gratefulness routine is good, every day think about what you can be grateful for that day, instead of focussing on the problems you see (real or imagined). Proper breathing is very important, and learn how to use diaphragmatic breathing or breathing with your stomach. Look this up. The 5 minute video below with Andrew Huberman explains how to do something called the double sigh, a very useful technique to use when you need to slow down your heart rate to go to sleep. Or to reduce stress during the day as well. It really works, and quite quickly!

 

As for medication: I would stay far away unless deep clinical issues, and focus on better eating (low carb/high fat)  and whatever exercise you can manage to do within the limits of your foot injury and age. As for supplements, magnesium has been mentioned, I would add one which is GABA, a calming neurotransmitter I think it is classified as. I take it before bed (2*500 mg), and it can seem to give me better sleep (difficult to know for sure what causes what). You can buy it from iHerb.com, they ship to Thailand and is the number one website for supplements, with very good product range and an excellent customer service. Meditation and gratefulness are both good, and some personal therapy with a good psychologist might also help. But you have to find a person you "click" with, otherwise it will not work very well.

 

I wish you good luck with finding some calm and peace, we older gents should live a quiet life, and not worry too much! 😀