"Gah! Brain, why wont you work!?"

[Daft Time]

TL;DR - Does anything you do stop or slow your thoughts in a negative manner?​

So, I've got a problem. It's an odd issue - though maybe it's more common than I realise, it's not like I've done a survey - with maintaining a train of though. It's a relatively recent one as well, and it's somewhat sudden occurrence has cause an incredibly amount of frustration.

When I start speaking, I stop thinking.

It happens whenever I speak, not just when I'm speaking with someone. For example; I tried to prepare an informal speech ahead of time. I thought it out until I was reasonably happy with the broad strokes of what I had come up with and I started to practice it. I hadn't written it down, of course, and every rendition in my head had been different in the minutia. This time started no differently and I produced an opening that I could have been proud of.

Then my brain decided it was sleepy time.

Gone were the wondrous inner monologues which, under the right circumstances, could have won me accolades and in came the silence. Dead quiet, not a peep. Not only was my train of thought obliterated in this instant but so had my potential to form a new one. In fact, I hadn't gotten another significant one until I sat down and started writing this post in order to ***** about my unfortunate predicament.

Being a person who enjoys the more complex pleasures in life like, for instance, maintaining a dialogue with another human being about, well, anything this is problematic. It's of particular detriment for my personal preference of holding a discussion that is more complex than "how's the weather?" without resorting to finding the nearest computer terminal to write my manifesto on "what's your favourite Pokemon?".

It's Charizard by the way. I'm not particularly original.

Captcha: Most interesting man. Why thank you captcha, I too believe myself to be the most interesting individual to have ever existed. What's that about being egotistical?

Edit: Escapist apparently doesn't like interrobangs.

 

[purplecactus]

I get the same thing. That said, mostly with me I'm more focused on actually shaping my words properly (speech impediments FTW...) that I lose track of what those words actually are and come to a grinding halt.

Yet I have experienced this amazing phenomenon, and it sucks. There are a few friends of mine who enjoy serious, in-depth discussions as much as I do, yet whenever I think something up, whenever my brain shoots on ahead to play through what that discussion might turn out like, the minute I open my mouth it vanishes.

It's a good day when I can start off talking about the weather whilst desperately trying to bring back that dialogue I had two seconds ago.

Hell, it's not even just that. There's a 'my brain went to sleep' story for every situation, though I always put it down to certain problems I've had in the past and my ongoing recovery, if you like, from said issues. It never actually occurred to me that other people might experience it...

 

[Daft Time]

It's a good day when I can start off talking about the weather whilst desperately trying to bring back that dialogue I had two seconds ago.

...you're not suggesting it doesn't go away, are you? =/

It is simultaneously as perplexing as it is frustrating to me. It's a relatively recent development; in fact, I was quite the opposite before this happened. You know that one character that pops up almost everywhere and goes off on mad, tangential rants that somehow both wind up at a brilliant point and explains it perfectly? That was me, minus the brilliance in my final conclusion. It is, in fact, what I still hear in my head.

I just can't overcome this new war between my brain and my mouth and, so far, my mouth is winning.

 

[purplecactus]

...you're not suggesting it doesn't go away, are you? =/

Well, I'm not sure. I'm better than I used to be, it got to the point a while back where I found it almost impossible to speak to anyway in a very literal sense. In the past couple of years I might have overcome that, but the brain/mouth connection doesn't seem to be improving.

That said, if it hasn't always been that way for you then it could just be some weird phase your body is going through and it'll settle itself down at some point in the near future.

 

[Daft Time]

SNIPPY SNIPPY

That's not exactly reassuring. It's hardly the first mental-health issue people have told me would just pass.

Damn.

In fact, I'm having trouble speaking at all as well. It's why I've put in such a ridiculous post count the last few days - the problems communicating is suffocating. I don't exactly thrive on being social, but I do need it. This thread was so much more depressing than I had imagined it could be. =(

 

[purplecactus]

SNIPPY SNIPPY

That's not exactly reassuring. It's hardly the first mental-health issue people have told me would just pass.

Damn.

In fact, I'm having trouble speaking at all as well. It's why I've put in such a ridiculous post count the last few days - the problems communicating is suffocating. I don't exactly thrive on being social, but I do need it. This thread was so much more depressing than I had imagined it could be. =(

People have told me a lot of my issues would pass as well, but someone I'm still a mental illness minefield, and I still manage to say 'it's ok, it'll just go away' without fully realising what I'm doing. I apologise for that. What I can say is that at least you've still got the desire to communicate with people and you're making the effort to, at least that's a small upside.

I'm sorry, I wish I had a solution for you, or at least have something happy or humorous to add...

 

[Daft Time]

People have told me a lot of my issues would pass as well, but someone I'm still a mental illness minefield, and I still manage to say 'it's ok, it'll just go away' without fully realising what I'm doing. I apologise for that. What I can say is that at least you've still got the desire to communicate with people and you're making the effort to, at least that's a small upside.

I'm sorry, I wish I had a solution for you, or at least have something happy or humorous to add...

It's cool, even at the very least I have more pressing things to worry about than being able to articulate the wanderings of my head verbally. I'm sure something funny will come of it, something always does. Shit happens, and if it doesn't pass I'm almost certain there will be a chemical solution to my problem. Not really worth getting worked up about. Still, I had intended this thread to at least be some what humorous. I think I've kind of killed that. =P

 

[capper42]

Are you eating/sleeping/drinking properly? These things affect your brain enormously, and trouble keeping a steady train of thought could be a result of this. Or it could be stress, are you stressed?

Either way, I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone has times when they're brain doesn't seem to be working at full capacity, if it persists or becomes something you're really concerned about, then perhaps seek more official advice.

Note that I don't really know what I'm talking about, and am basically making this up as I go along, so anything I say should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt.

 

[unindexedsearchengine]

Are you eating/sleeping/drinking properly?

If I were to answer that truthfully, i'd most likely end up in an asylum.

OT: My brain functions out-of-the-ordinary on the best of days, so comparing to the default, i'm not entirely certain towards which end of the spectrum does it go when the shit hits the fan, however i'm fairly certain that I haven't experienced "normality" in the recent past.
The reason my brain won't work is because it's either on strike or shore leave, Indefinitely.

Captcha : That Hurts
I swear these things have achieved sentience.

 

[Relish in Chaos]

I think I might have a similar problem, and my nervous stutter doesn?t help either. Whenever I?m in a debate with a friend, I always feel as if I?m not completely getting my point across because it?s riddled with self-interruptions and me ?cutting to the chase? rather than elaborating on my points because I either can?t be arsed, my brain only decides to remember certain points until long after the discussion is over, or because I?d just end up stammering like Porky Pig and slapping myself in frustration.

 

[James Joseph Emerald]

My man, I believe I have a solution to your problem:

Alternatively:

Honestly, it's like oxygen: I don't think humans are designed to function without it.

 

[wooty]

I have the reverse problem I think. I often over think an issue and end up bringing up other problems that are related to the topic in question, which just creates more confusion. I often over think things and say things that shouldn't really be said, I often get into trouble for things like that. I'm afraid I can't share in your current state, my thoughts are always on the march all the time, even when I am trying to relax or, heaven forbid, sleep.

But I'm a natural thinker anyway (except when I'm in work), and being in constant irritating contemplation makes me feel comfortable.

 

[King of Asgaard]

TL;DR - Does anything you do stop or slow your thoughts in a negative manner?​

So, I've got a problem. It's an odd issue - though maybe it's more common than I realise, it's not like I've done a survey - with maintaining a train of though. It's a relatively recent one as well, and it's somewhat sudden occurrence has cause an incredibly amount of frustration.

When I start speaking, I stop thinking.

It happens whenever I speak, not just when I'm speaking with someone. For example; I tried to prepare an informal speech ahead of time. I thought it out until I was reasonably happy with the broad strokes of what I had come up with and I started to practice it. I hadn't written it down, of course, and every rendition in my head had been different in the minutia. This time started no differently and I produced an opening that I could have been proud of.

Then my brain decided it was sleepy time.

Gone were the wondrous inner monologues which, under the right circumstances, could have won me accolades and in came the silence. Dead quiet, not a peep. Not only was my train of thought obliterated in this instant but so had my potential to form a new one. In fact, I hadn't gotten another significant one until I sat down and started writing this post in order to ***** about my unfortunate predicament.

Being a person who enjoys the more complex pleasures in life like, for instance, maintaining a dialogue with another human being about, well, anything this is problematic. It's of particular detriment for my personal preference of holding a discussion that is more complex than "how's the weather?" without resorting to finding the nearest computer terminal to write my manifesto on "what's your favourite Pokemon?".

It's Charizard by the way. I'm not particularly original.

Captcha: Most interesting man. Why thank you captcha, I too believe myself to be the most interesting individual to have ever existed. What's that about being egotistical?

Edit: Escapist apparently doesn't like interrobangs.

Before I give my thoughts, I must say I quite enjoyed reading your post immensely. Between the comical hyperbole and competent structure - something not seen often on the Internet - you appear to have a grasp on language not many possess.
I've noticed you posting in several threads lately, OP, and I've noticed a certain level of quality in what you post, especially with what you write. Keep at it, it's rather inspiring.

OT: May I posit, after reading the OP a few times, that you simply blank due to stress? It happens to the best of us.
This speech you mentioned sounds stressful, even if it's an informal occasion. I would have credited it to performance anxiety.
Then again, I may have misunderstood you. Besides, I'm not a doctor, so I could be wrong in my observations, as well.

 

[Ratties]

There are tons of people that have that problem. They are everywhere. It's the woman you talked to at the bank. It's the guy on his cellphone while he is driving. The teenagers smoking outside of a building trying to look cool. Welcome to planet earth. Tons of people do enough talking, while clouds drift through their brain.

 

[Neonit]

Sitting.

Yeah, sitting. If i have to think, i have to walk, preferably in circles in a familiar place.
I can sit in front of the problem into the late hours, and the second i stand up (to go to the bathroom etc) i come up with a solution.

Though i think its less of the problem with sitting itself, and more of static surroundings. I dont have this problem when travelling for example.

Guess i have air cooled brain

Its a strange thing, but once i found it out, my life became a bit easier.
People do however give me weird looks when im walking in circle for 10-30 minutes.
I cant imagine why....

 

[Angie7F]

I stop thinking when the room temperature is way too hot or stuffy.

And lack of sleep.
I need sleep ... NOW.

 

[Daft Time]

Before I give my thoughts, I must say I quite enjoyed reading your post immensely. Between the comical hyperbole and competent structure - something not seen often on the Internet - you appear to have a grasp on language not many possess.

I've noticed you posting in several threads lately, OP, and I've noticed a certain level of quality in what you post, especially with what you write. Keep at it, it's rather inspiring.

Wow, you'd be surprised how much that means to me. I use forums such as the Escapist, in part, to try and maintain what little competence I have for writing. I don't get many opportunities outside of the internet to practice my prose since I was kicked out of school. It is my hope that when I eventually return I have sufficient skill to continue the essay intensive subjects which were my preference. That got more than a little off track, but what I mean was "thank you!".

I actually managed to hold up my end of the discussion that I had been preparing for. It was an odd experience, rather than my thoughts being constrained by the inefficient information delivery system which is my mouth I talked with out forethought. I had no real direction to follow as I rambled, but I think I got the key issues covered. They know Charizard is my favourite Pokemon at least.

I made damned sure of that.

My man, I believe I have a solution to your problem:

This, quite seriously, is the most likely candidate as to why my brain has waged war on my mouth. It is protesting the recent lack of caffeine consumption. It's like the brains version of the hunger strike - "if you're not going to feed me my caffeine, I'm going to make you sound like an imbecile!".

Wait, didn't I initially say my mouth declared war on my brain? Fuck, I can't keep track of a figure of speech. If anyone asks, just tell them the war has raged so long that nobody can quite remember who struck the first blow. Nobody will think twice about it, the suspension of disbelief from every fictional war ever will kick in.

Sitting.

Yeah, sitting. If i have to think, i have to walk, preferably in circles in a familiar place.
I can sit in front of the problem into the late hours, and the second i stand up (to go to the bathroom etc) i come up with a solution.

Though i think its less of the problem with sitting itself, and more of static surroundings. I dont have this problem when travelling for example.

Guess i have air cooled brain

Its a strange thing, but once i found it out, my life became a bit easier.
People do however give me weird looks when im walking in circle for 10-30 minutes.
I cant imagine why....

Oh man, this is one I just get. People get very frustrated when I pace around while trying to solve the problem at hand, particularly if not having it solved yet is stressful. Better yet is when it's a mathematical problem, and I combine pacing with air drawings of numbers to keep my place in the equation. Without it, I forget the actual numbers I was working with, and I have to start it again. If my brain is like a sieve then numbers are the liquids of my thoughts.