Posted by blueboy on May 28, 2008, at 9:18:12
In reply to Intrusive music in my head, posted by boltsdraggin on May 24, 2008, at 20:42:23
> I have intrusive music in my head. I will emphasize that I don't, and never have, "heard voices". I hear it all the time, sometimes even when I'm sleeping. It does not consist of complete songs, but rather random snippets that play over and over again, until something (completely unidentifiable) will suddenly "change the record". When I'm under stress, naturally the music gets louder. It will pervade anything I try to use to distract my mind. Sometimes, I will have two songs going simultaneously.
>It sounds exactly like a problem I have. I have recently been diagnosed as Bipolar II (after decades of unsuccessful treatment for major and moderate recurring depression).
I would (or will) get a song going, and it is worse and/or more noticeable at night in bed. I can be having other thoughts and the song just keeps going simultaneously. Although I can have it playing while having other thoughts, I haven't ever had two songs going at once. You must be quite talented, LOL!
I think of it as "semi-voluntary" because I can make it stop, but then it will start up again automatically.
I have had some success in stopping it. Try playing out the entire song from introduction to finish in your mind. That seems to help me a bit, although it is surprisingly hard to do. Then try to run a different song through your mind. Also, meditation (I do transcendental meditation) may help.
For me, it's not just music. If I play a computer game long enough, my mind will keep playing the game when I am asleep. It's usually a bit of a nightmare, actually, and will continue going while I am waking up. I have to sit on the edge of the bed, wake up more fully, and be able to understand that my computer is turned off and it is impossible for the game to be playing, before I can stop it.
Here's my theory on my own experience. Anxiety and hypomania are sometimes hard to distinguish and may be interrelated in some ways. Also, there may be some component of the phenomenon related to obsession or compulsion.
Anyway, get a good doctor's opinion and/or diagnosis about Bipolar II. I think, in general, the feeling that your mind seems (in my words) to be "losing traction", or you feel like your brain is "driving on ice", or that your gears are slipping, are characteristic of manic disorders.
I'm starting Lamactil, and I am optimistic that it will help with this. If not, I may have to try a drug that works more on the manic phase of the disease.
poster:blueboy
thread:830967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/831612.html