How can you stop your 'inner voice' from talking? SERIOUS replies....?

this sounds weird i know, but how to stop your inner voice (your voice inside your head, self talk, whatever) from talking? In a sense it is your voice that is 'thinking' NOT various voices in your head but your own....sometimes this interrupts my sleep at nite b/c i cannot shut 'off' my brain from talking/thinking, this can go on all day long and it makes me tired.... is this indicative of a mental disorder? or is this how everyone's head is? please help.

Okay this is a serious reply.

Yes- bipolar and other anxiety conditions have "self talk" as a concern. I would recommend talking to someone you love about it, that will be compassionate enough to go with you to a doctor that can help access the situation.

Lets try redirection, get a journal and "empty" your thoughts on paper or on the personal blog (private-not online) and then go to bed. See if that helps.

This is a chemical thing, you can not control it without medicine, just like high blood pressure or any other condition. There is NO shame in getting mental help, I highly recommend it. Your lifestyle will have to change, you can not drink booze at all and it is worth every minute.

I dont know. If you find out do tell me.

I guess meditation. Trying to tune out thought. Maybe yoga.

Schizophrenia can cause a person to hear voices. Most people, however do experience thoughts that can obstruct their sleep. Sometimes relaxing your body through mental mental thoughts can calm you enoguh to fall asleep. Just think of your body parts as being numb. Do not clench fists, or tighten up any muscles.

I have the same problem. It's very hard to go to sleep, especially if it's been a bad day. Lots of my patients complain of this also, and the doctor usually prescribes xanax or a sleeping pill for them.

What helps me is that I do yoga with deep breathing and then I pray and turn all those busy thoughts over to God. Sometimes I write in a journal, and that helps too.

Good luck. And no, you do not have a mental disorder.

Has it always been like this? If not, It could be signs of ADD or Bipolar Disorder. If you just can't stand it, see a psychologist. For now though, especially before bed, try just laying in bed and concentrate on your breathing. If your mind wanders, go back to your breathing. It's hard at first, but will usually put you right out. You can do this during the day too. (Don't fall asleep then, though!)

I do that too. I've been for screenings and no one has told me I'm nuts. And, I know what you mean, like yourself is telling yourself you really have to take care of this that or the other. Don't try to shut it off. Learn to listen to it and let it be your guide...like it's someone else. It is strange, but it's like an ESP thing that is coming from within. It's you, telling you what to do. I often have conversations with myself in my head, and sometimes I answer outloud. I get it and I don't think it's wierd. Just don't argue with yourself.

It could indicate an obsessive/compulsive problem. I would recite the 23rd psalm or focus on one particular thought. Relaxation exercises help. Focusing on a mental object, picture a pleasant place you have been. A quiet place with no distractions. Focus on being in the moment. Don't think about it or analyze it. It might help to get involved with other people and listen to them. Focus outside of yourself. Not to be rude, but it is like mental masturbation and it is exhausting. If you can't stop it on your own, then seek some professional help. It can take a toll on you in the long run and the quality of your life will be diminished. Good luck.

The symptoms you've described are not necessarily those of a mental disorder, you would have to have other symptoms as well. Only a doc or professional can tell you if you have a mental disorder because other things (stresses in yr life or physical illnesses) can cause these symptoms as well.

I have the problem you're talking about. I don't think its a "mental disorder", you just have thngs on your mind.

Personally what I do is I put on my earphones and play music in my ears. I play it really low, so low that I can barely hear it. What happens is my mind just automatically focuses on the music, even thought I can't really hear it. Since I can't hear it, it doesn't disrupt my sleep.