Am I losing my mind?
What Is Wrong With Me?
This question is a tricky one to answer. People mean all sorts of things when they say 'I think I'm going crazy'.
But, let's try and shed some light on this issue.
I cover the following topics in this article:
I think I'm losing my mind
First, it is vital to realise that many people find terms like 'losing my mind' or 'going crazy' offensive. I only use this language to reflect their common usage. Those diagnosed with mental health conditions don't want to be defined by their symptoms and difficulties. As a result, we have seen the rise of the recovery movement or a recovery model in mental health care.
I use terms here with this context in mind.
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Why do I feel like I’m losing my mind?
People use this phrase literally and metaphorically. However, in both circumstances, this statement implies that something is amiss with one's thinking. A perceived negative change in your usual pattern of thinking is likely. Unwanted or alarming behaviours (e.g., overreaction) frequently accompany this transformation.
These shifts may be unexpected, perplexing, and upsetting. Changes may leave you feeling like something is wrong. You may have little or no control over these changes, at least initially. However, some people fall into the trap of self-blame. For instance, interpreting symptoms as evidence of personal weakness. These unhelpful responses create further problems (e.g., low self-worth).
Psychosis
Changes in thinking and behaviour are common with mental health conditions. Many mental health symptoms cause people to question their sanity. Psychosis is a key example.
Psychosis refers to a range of psychiatric conditions where people lose touch with reality. This condition comes with one or both of the following:
Hallucinations: When we hear, see, feel, smell or taste things that exist only in the mind. However, these experiences seem real to the person experiencing them.
Delusions: Very firmly held beliefs not shared by others. Delusions often have themes of conspiracy or persecution.
We diagnose psychosis in the presence of additional symptoms and difficulties (e.g., mood changes, problems with daily life). The most common form of psychosis is Schizophrenia, affecting 20 million people worldwide (1). However, other forms of psychosis exist (e.g., Schizoaffective disorder). Diagnosing psychosis is not straightforward. For this and other reasons, you should always seek assessment from a mental health professional if you experience hallucinations or delusions.
There is some uncertainty about the community prevalence of psychotic symptoms. Rates are anywhere between 3-39% depending on how these phenomena are measured (2). In addition, some people have hallucinatory-like experiences, but are not diagnosed with a psychotic condition. For example:
Perceptual disturbances can occur as you're drifting off to sleep ('hypnagogic hallucinations').
Migraine is associated with an 'aura' involving visual disturbances.
The high prevalence of unusual perceptual disturbances suggests that it may be common to question one's sanity, even in the absence of mental illness.
Mania
Mania is a form of extreme mood elevation. This state is most frequently associated with Bipolar Disorder. Mania necessitates medical attention and, in many cases, hospitalisation. Hallucinations and delusions may accompany an episode. But, we also see euphoria, uncontrolled excitement, irritability, poor concentration, racing thoughts, and high-risk behaviours (to name a few).
Although this is an extreme state, the person may not fully realise what's happening until an episode ends. This point is where someone might question their state of mind.
Dissociation
Dissociation can occur in many situations. When you dissociate, you feel disconnected from yourself and/or the world. Everyone's experience of dissociation is different. But, physical detachment is a common facet of this state. This 'out-of-body' experience is called depersonalisation. Traumatic events are frequently linked to dissociation.
Hyperarousal
Hyperarousal is an extreme form of being 'on edge'. Also associated with trauma, hyperarousal can be very distressing. It's frightening to be constantly frightened and glancing over your shoulder. In this position, it's understandable that a person could believe they're going 'insane'.
Obsessions
Obsessions are thoughts, images, or urges that are repetitive, persistent, and unwanted. Obsessions are distressing and typically revolve around unpleasant topics like contamination, harming others, or unwanted sexual thoughts. This thinking pattern is most commonly associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Many people respond to obsessions with repetitive behaviours called compulsions. Distress reduction is the aim of these acts. However, these neutralising behaviours need repetition because their benefits are short-lived. Obsessions and compulsions are overwhelming and can lead some to question their sanity.
Anxiety
Severe anxiety may indicate an underlying anxiety disorder. Distress on this scale causes mental chaos and worrying, or even strange symptoms. These conditions raise the risk of fearing for your sanity.
Rumination
Other forms of distressing, repetitive thinking exist. One example is 'rumination'. This phenomenon was initially associated with depression (3). An inability to block or distract from these thoughts sometimes raises concerns about going crazy.
Medical conditions
A malfunctioning body can make us think we're losing it. The brain is a particularly relevant organ because it is the body's control centre.
We know of neurological conditions, ranging from brain tumours to neurodegenerative illness (e.g., Alzheimer's). These problems cause many symptoms that may, at first, cause us to worry for our sanity:
Speech and language problems (e.g., can't find words)
Odd or impaired thinking processes (e.g., brain fog)
Loss of inhibition (e.g., being rude, acting in embarrassing ways).
Difficulties carrying out straightforward actions, or 'apraxia' (e.g., pouring water into a cup).
Problems with other body parts can result in cognitive and behavioural issues. For example, thyroid malfunction is associated with changes in mood and thinking (4).
Y all gon make me lose my mind
Relationships are tough. Interactions can be intense and even overwhelming. Relationship issues often cause thinking and behaviour patterns that seem out of control. Here are just a couple of examples:
Love is hell....or at least tricky at times
Intense thoughts and feelings often occur where there is, or has been a romantic association. Love comes in three categories; lust, attraction, and attachment (5). Each state links to powerful hormones that drive (sometimes) overwhelming bodily responses, good and bad. For example, intense lust and jealousy might make it appear that sanity has left the building. Your brain's rational-decision maker (pre-frontal cortex) even goes offline at times, leading to behaviours that you later regret.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is deliberately causing a person to question their sanity within a relationship. The perpetrator carries out this form of emotional abuse in many ways:
Criticising your thoughts, feelings, and actions
Blaming you for things that go wrong
Claiming you've said and done things that never occurred
Denying responsibility for wrongdoing
These are just a few examples of gaslighting. The effect of these behaviours is a decrease in confidence and an increase in anxiety and stress. Gaslighting also generates confusion and self-doubt that may lead to fear that you've lost your mind.
Gaslighting may be undertaken by people who have underlying personality issues. Extreme, damaging behaviour can occur in the context of a personality disorder. This topic is beyond the scope of our discussion here. But, it is important to note that certain behaviours can ‘drive you crazy’.
I think I'm losing my mind song
Many poets and musicians have written about the fear of losing one's mind. For example, Bazzi's song I think I'm losing my mind refers to social withdraw in response to conformity pressure.
Feeling different from the group can make you question or doubt yourself. In extreme cases, you wonder if you can trust your thinking and judgement.
What is wrong with me quiz
I have identified just a few issues that might cause someone to question their sanity. But, of course, answers to questions about your sanity depend on the nature of your problems.
Another key factor to keep in mind is insight. Insight is the degree to which one is aware of worrying thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Inquiring about one's sanity indicates that these changes have been detected. However, one's ability to register these signs might be constrained.
From a mental health perspective, the following signs are red flags that should trigger help-seeking from an appropriately qualified health professional:
Hallucinations
Delusions
Significant distress
Any other extreme change in thinking, feeling, or behaviour.
Major problems coping with your usual day-to-day activities and routines(e.g., work, taking care of yourself)
Thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide
Sometimes, the fear of losing your sanity arises from non-mental health issues that most of us face from time to time (e.g., obsessing over someone you're in love with). The associated alterations in thinking and behaviour tend to pass in time. But, persistent changes may signal the need to seek assistance.
How to cope
Assuming you're not facing a situation that requires professional intervention, here are some tips for coping with periods of altered or intense thoughts and emotions:
Watch out for unhelpful self talk
Responses like self-criticism usually don't help you cope with difficult circumstances. Instead, try responding to these thoughts with strategies available on the Skills Videos page.
Talk to people you trust
Reaching out helps to check your concerns. Take different perspectives to break out from a rigid, narrow view of your circumstances. Also, watch where you go looking for information. Don’t spend too much time on social media. These platforms are rife with fake and unrealistic life profiles.
Realistic control
Think about what elements of the situation you can and cannot control. Direct your energy in areas you have influence (e.g., have a conversation with a key person). Focus on practical actions that could provide relief.
Slowing down
Taking the time to rest, relax and step away from concerning mental processes may bring you relief. Consider trying progressive muscle relaxation or a mindfulness exercise. Some people even seek cognitive behavioural therapy to alleviate distress.
Learn more
Here is an example of the many online courses dedicated to understanding serious psychological problems.
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
References
(1) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia
(2) Garcia-Ptacek, S. et al. (2013). Hallucinations and aberrant perceptions are prevalent among the young healthy adult population. Neurologia, 28(1), 19-23.
(3) Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 569–582.
(4) Samuels M. H. (2014). Psychiatric and cognitive manifestations of hypothyroidism. Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity, 21(5), 377–383.
(5) https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/love-actually-science-behind-lust-attraction-companionship/