Disclaimer: I’m not a mental health professional. This post is based on my personal experience living with both anxiety and schizophrenia. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a qualified therapist, psychiatrist, or doctor.
My Mind Is Not a Quiet Place
Trust me, I know what it’s like to be trapped in your own head.
I’m a victim to it every single day.
One reason I throw myself into work is because it’s one of the few things that pulls me out of my thoughts. If I can stay busy, I can focus on something other than the storm in my head. But even then, the thoughts sometimes creep in — uninvited and relentless.
When I’m working, I can be in the middle of writing an email or designing something, and suddenly a thought slips in — a fear, a memory, or an image — and my focus is gone. My mind grabs it, spins it, and refuses to let go.
Anxiety vs Schizophrenia: Two Different Battles
Anxiety
Anxiety is the constant “what if?” voice. It’s overthinking conversations from years ago. It’s replaying mistakes no one else remembers. It’s imagining worst-case scenarios that may never happen.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is different. It’s not just overthinking — it can twist how I see, hear, and understand the world. Some thoughts are so unrealistic I know they’re fake, but they still feel real in the moment. It’s hearing a voice that doesn’t belong to me or feeling like something bad will happen even without reason.
The Overlap
When you have both, your mind never really rests. Anxiety fuels the constant mental chatter, while schizophrenia can turn it into something that feels terrifyingly real.
Intrusive Thoughts: The Unwanted Guests
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts, images, or urges that pop into your mind out of nowhere. Everyone experiences them sometimes, but with anxiety or schizophrenia, they can be constant and overwhelming.
For me, intrusive thoughts can look like:
Random violent or disturbing images that I know aren’t real but still shake me.
“What if” fears that spiral into paranoia.
Voices or imagined scenarios that make me question reality.
Memories from years ago that suddenly feel fresh and raw.
The hardest part? I can know a thought is fake or irrational, and yet it still grips me. It can take over my mood, my focus, and my ability to relax.
How I Try to Rest My Mind
Managing intrusive thoughts isn’t easy — but I’ve found small things that help calm the storm:
Grounding techniques – Focusing on something real and physical, like holding a textured object, naming five things I can see, or splashing cold water on my face.
Structured routines – Predictable daily habits help keep my mind from wandering too much.
Creative outlets – Writing, drawing, or designing gives my brain something to latch onto besides the intrusive thought.
Mindfulness meditation – Even a few minutes of focused breathing can help quiet my racing mind (though some days it’s harder than others).
Professional support – Therapy and medication play a big role in helping me manage both anxiety and schizophrenia.
When to Seek Help
If your thoughts feel overwhelming, constant, or start affecting your daily life, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional.
You should seek help if:
You can’t tell what’s real from what’s imagined.
Your anxiety is constant and exhausting.
You feel unsafe with your own thoughts.
Intrusive thoughts cause you distress or fear.
There’s no shame in asking for help — it’s one of the strongest things you can do.
Final Thoughts
Being lost in my thoughts is the hardest part of living with both anxiety and schizophrenia. Some days it feels like I can’t get a moment’s peace. But over time, I’ve learned tools to help calm my mind and remind myself that thoughts — no matter how scary or convincing — aren’t always reality.
If you’re dealing with the same, please know you’re not alone. Your mind may be loud, but your life is worth living beyond the noise.
