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Racing thoughts that phase in and out are a symptom of a mood or anxiety disorder. People who have bipolar disorder — a mental illness characterized by mood changes that range from extreme emotional highs (mania) to severe depression — experience racing thoughts during the condition's manic phase. Typically, mood disorders are episodic, not chronic. So, constant racing thoughts are not likely to result from a mood disorder.

Racing thoughts refers to the rapid thought patterns that often occur in manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes. While racing thoughts are most commonly described in people with bipolar disorder, they are also common with anxiety disorders, such as Obessive Compulsive Disorder also known as OCD. Racing thoughts are also associated with use of amphetamines also racing thoughts can accure with sleep deprivation.[1]

Racing thoughts may be experienced as background or take over a person's consciousness. Thoughts, music, and voices might be zooming through one's mind. There also might be a repetitive pattern of voice or of pressure without any associated "sound". It is a very overwhelming and irritating feeling, and can result in losing track of time.

Generally, racing thoughts are described by an individual who has had an episode as an event where the mind uncontrollably brings up random thoughts and memories and switches between them very quickly. Sometimes they are related, as one thought leads to another; other times they are completely random. A person suffering from an episode of racing thoughts has no control over his or her train of thought and it stops them from focusing on one topic or prevents sleeping.

Sleep deprivation is a symptom of racing thoughts, a person experiencing an episode of racing thoughts may find it difficult to fall asleep or have a good nights sleep due to the racing thoughts keeping them awake.

Treatment for racing thoughts is similar to treatments for Bipolar disorder; beginning with a healthy life style, sleeping regularly, eating healthy and staying away from drugs and alcohol.Although, in some cases with people experiencing racing thoughts may be percribed medications such as Xanax which is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders which cause sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and thoughts about having these attacks.

www.mayoclinic.net www.bipolarinfo.com