What is the Cause of Racing Thoughts?

What Causes Racing Thoughts?

Racing thoughts can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'needs attention'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose racing thoughts, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "racing thoughts" as a symptom. Here are six possibilities:

Caffeine Intoxication
ADHD
Bipolar Disorder
Low Histamine
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Lack Of Sleep

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

cysts in breasts

negative reaction to coffee

minor mood swings

eyelid twitch

poor mental clarity

frequent sleep paralysis

moderate afternoon/evening fatigue

being easily irritated

frequent drowsiness

being very impulsive

arrhythmia

angry/hostile disposition

... and more than 30 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of racing thoughts:

Cause	Probability	Status
Low Histamine	94%	Confirm
Bipolar Disorder	69%	Possible
ADHD	14%	Unlikely
Lack Of Sleep	1%	Ruled out
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	1%	Ruled out
Caffeine Intoxication	1%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Mind Health section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about having an overstimulated mind:

How often do you have 'racing thoughts', with your mind moving quickly from one idea to the next?

Possible responses:

→ Never / rarely / don't know
→ Less than once a month
→ A few times a month
→ Several times a week
→ Several times a day

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either occasional racing thoughts or frequent racing thoughts, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Bipolar Disorder, Manic-Depressive

While racing thoughts are most commonly described in people with bipolar disorder, they are also common with anxiety disorders, such as OCD.

Caffeine Intoxication

Caffeine intoxication is known to cause rambling thought and speech.

Histapenia (Histamine Low)

Lack of Sleep

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™