I have to admit … there are times when racing thoughts and internal dialogue have been so loud that they could have been voices in my head. Over the weekend I watched “The Devil’s Candy” with my wife.
There are times when the characters have auditory voices running through their heads telling them what to do.
This reminds me of something
It doesn’t take much for that to occur, and if your brain works this way, I don’t need to explain it to you. I’ve never had a voice in my head. But I have had my internal dialogue get so loud that it would be hard to describe it as anything but that. I remember a time when it was so loud, it was all I could do to drown it out with music or other distractions. This was at the height of my anxiety and neurosis. It’s difficult to pinpoint why this isn’t an issue for me anymore. My best guess is it’s a combination of things. Being on medication, and my meditation practice have both played large roles.
Shake hands with internal dialogue
The Meditation practice helps create some space between my thoughts and my experience. It’s almost as if once I stop believing my thoughts, they lose their power.
From what I understand, there is a concept out there that from time to time a vegetarian might face a situation where they, “Shake hands with beef.” They may decide to indulge in eating meat when their normal lifestyle and eating habits do not allow it. It’s a brief and temporary interaction that doesn’t define them or represent their life’s choices. I still get lost in thought. But more and more I choose to welcome the thoughts, shake hands with my internal dialogue, because I know my thoughts, they aren’t me. They are just thoughts. I can shake hands with internal dialogue. Then after my most cordial greeting, they can float on their merry way.
I’m curious about your experience. Has your internal dialogue ever been so loud that it sounds like a voice in your head?
Clinton Fetters is a husband and father with ADHD. He is currently writing about his experience at distractonaut.com and is interested in connecting with other adults with ADHD to hear their stories. Find out all of the ways to reach out to him here.