Accelerated thinking is what mental health professionals call thinking whose speed is increased, with a greater flow of ideas than usual. Accelerated thinking can be considered normal if it only appears on specific occasions (such as an exceptional situation of overload) and ends up passing after the stress ends. However, if accelerated thinking is long-lasting, disproportionate and capable of disrupting the individual's routine, it may signal that mental health is not going well. Experts identify accelerated thinking through observation of the patient. Some indicators of this phenomenon include an intense conversational pace and restless behavior.
Causes of accelerated thinking
“The conditions most linked to accelerated thinking are mood changes (mania and hypomania), anxiety and some psychotic conditions”, says psychiatrist Bruno Nascimento, professor and coordinator of the Neuropsychiatry area at UFPE (Federal University of Pernambuco). It is worth drawing attention to the fact that accelerated thinking can present itself in different ways depending on the disorder with which it is associated. In all cases there is an increased and accelerated flow of thought, but its content may vary. In patients with generalized anxiety, for example, accelerated thinking corresponds to distress and worries. “There may be an acceleration of thoughts in the form of apprehension, anticipating future things”, explains Ricardo Torresan, volunteer psychiatrist at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of Unesp (Universidade Estadual Paulista) in Botucatu. This differs from what happens in mania or hypomania. These are typical states of bipolarity, a disorder characterized by phases of depression, on the one hand, and mania or hypomania, on the other. Periods of mania or hypomania are marked by excessive self-confidence, euphoria and hyperactivity. “The person becomes very energized and positive, having several ideas at the same time and wanting to do many things simultaneously – so much so that sometimes they cannot even finish them,” says Torresan.
What is accelerated thinking syndrome Accelerated thinking syndrome is a condition described by psychiatrist Augusto Cury. It would be linked to excess information and would be characterized by an agitated mind, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms. However, accelerated thinking syndrome is not recognized by the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases), of the World Health Organization, or by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), of the American Psychiatric Association. Current scientific consensus views accelerated thinking as a symptom, not a syndrome. “The concept of syndrome is more generic”, says Nascimento. “To talk about accelerated thinking syndrome is to see the issue as a group of symptoms that can have several possible causes”, he explains. How to deal with racing thinking Treating the underlying disease of accelerated thinking with the help of a psychologist and/or psychiatrist is the best way to deal with this phenomenon. In addition to seeking specialized assistance, you can take better care of your mental health in the same way you should take care of the rest of your body: with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. It's also worth valuing your hobbies and always leaving some time in your schedule for relaxing activities.
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