Someone I know goes off on tangents in everyday conversation.  Is this a sign of mental illness?
95346
When he start listing ask him the purpose of listing. When he finished telling the reasons or does not give any reasons just talk in detail about list till he figure out himself why he is doing it. Sometime when you let the person figure out why he is doing will give him the best way how not to do it. Give total attention when he does that. Then he will start realising and will find out a way why he is doing it.\nIf there are stories attached to listing that he wants to share but cannot recall in detail or just want to be part of conversation or just needs to showcase his prowess in the subject or feeling inadequate and trying to hide with his lists... lots of reasons that might make him to do this.
921598
I don't think you have a mental problem. Maybe you're just thinking of something else or you feel awkward talking to someone. I lose my words when I try too hard to communicate with something. Just don't think about it.
938410
Yes. it happens some times. Its as if the other person is speaking a foreign language. When you tell them sorry i blanked out, they take it bad. They prob think u think that they are boring.
216104
After watching her last night, I really do believe she has a hard time being honest with people. In other words, she doesn't want to hurt their feelings. I don't think it's medication, it probably is related to past exoeriences or issues of rejection. Not talking psych 101 here but she's like everyone's sweet Auntie Em.
123018
if u have or are losing touch with reality,  or are showing signs of talking to someone in the room  but noone is there (this can be a mild start)  if it seems to be worsening ones behaviors,   or one does things he or she might not have done before,,,for example   self mutilation, hurting pets, scatching other  hurting siblings,  and talking to them like they are someone or something else,,,,schizophrenia has many signs that lead to a big blow up of the illness,   but w treatment early on this can be slowed down, and they can even lead descent lives again when meds are adjusted correctly......good luck deary, im sure u will get many more great answers.....dilusional and fantasy world are also part of this illness!
688763
aww that's a bit harsh.Just look spaced out alot eventually that person will get annoyed by your lack of attention then the'll leave or stop talking.It works when my friend who was talking non-stop to me I just nodded and went 'um..hummmm'.. I answer her yes or no questions by nodding my head and when she was like what's gonna happen I shrugged she stop talking for the whole day.That gives the person the message to buzz of for awhile.Or just interupt her while she's talking to you and say 'erm..gotta go to the washroom' or 'be right back'.That usually gives the person the message
23324
It's psychotic to want a psychotic mental disorder...Or it could mean that person is desperately seeking attention, which would only annoy everyone else around them. :)
660494
Maybe he is on drugs?...\n\nNo, jk (well it is a possibility)...Though, he might just be stressed, on some kind of medication, or that's just how he is. Some people's moods can change freuqently, so maybe he is just one of those people.
994869
I have a friend like that and it is truly draining.  What I do when we talk on the phone is "unhunh" automatically while doing something else with an occassional "really!".  When I need to talk , I tell her to "shut up it's about me today, we'll get to you later".   This has been going on for years and it seems to work for me.
436930
I think this person you are referring to has multiple personalities. ("themself?")
366560
if you hear voices and you cant control what they are saying this is different from your own thoughts. for example if you cannot stop the voices, then that is a lot different from if you are just a very thoughtful person. \nit sounds like you might be a little anxious. maybe you need someone to talk to? try talking to a friend or relative, a counselor or someone you can trust. it is pretty normal to have a lot of thoughts, but if you feel like your thoughts are racing, i mean, like there are a lot of thoughts that keep coming and coming, or if they are not your own thoughts, or if you hear voices, then that could be a sign of something serious you would want to discuss with a psychologist or psychiatrist. another thing that you might want to consider is keeping a diary of your thoughts, and see how they relate to events going on in your life. Also, try to see what happens when you take caffeine or drinks like coffee or tea or colas like coke, those can make the brain act a little strange. also, stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines can make your thought process change. try and avoid those if you feel uncomfortable with your thoughts. but it sounds like more than likely you just need someone to talk to...
292084
The fact you are asking this question suggests that you must have noticed something is different about this person. Some cues are:\nBehavioral: loss of interst in usual activities, avoidance, change in eating habits (pigging out or hardly eating at all),sleeping (most of the time or not at all), increased use of alcohol, avoidence of contact with others, absenteeism, sudden activity in risky behaviors, poor judgement and/or inability to make decisions, increase/decrease in sex drive, frequent headaches,stomach ailments, or changes in health, poor ability to cope with everyday stresses.\nMental:  poor concentration, confusion, lack of attention, forgetfullness, can't stay focused.\nEmotional: mood swings,angry outbursts, crying spells,feelings of worthlessness,helplessness and/or hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, denial of anything wrong,inability to cope with any type of change, paranoia.\nAs you can see from his list, some of these changes can be very subtle while others are very noticeable.  The key is to look for ANY changes in a person's behavior pattern.  I would approach the person with a sense of compassion, concern and avoid anything which looks/sounds judgemental.  It's o.k. to ask "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" Share with him/her some of the changes you've noticed and your genuine interest in LISTENING with empathy. A professional should be contacted immediately if there's any active thoughts of suicide.
680041
"For example, if you overheard a piece of a conversation where the person was saying how they could afford to buy something new, and you knew that they had debts with someone locally, would you confront them about the purchase or would you contact the person they owed? "\n\nI just took a tid bit out but you can see where I am taking this from.  Right there you are contradicting your argument.\n\nIn one section you are talking about eaves dropping and not getting into other peoples business. And in another you talking about confronting someone about someone else's problem.  You have a point I just feel that you are explaining your self the wrong way.  Gossip will happen all of your life in every place you go. Work, School, even Church.  \n\nI can understand that it is frustrating when you hear people do this, but technically you are doing it yourself and not even realizing it.  When you hear someone say something behind someones back and you tell your friend "Now that is messed up." and then rant about people being the way they are and talk about how they should say that to that persons face, you are just doing it yourself.\n\nLet me ask you this. If you hear someone saying something about your friend, you would confront them about it, but would you also go and tell your friend that so and so was saying this about them.\n\nBy no means am I cutting up your question I am just suggesting to you to take a closer look at the situation and realize that everyone does it to a degree, some more than others but we all do it.
466791
Some people with various mental disorders seem to be talking to themselves as in the case of schizophrenia but these people hear voices so they may actually be talking to the voices.  Also people with multiple personality disorder seem to talk to themselves, but it is actually their alter personalities talking.  Hope this clarifies things.
526176
Some people who are bipolar are like that when they are in the manic phase.And some people are just naturally CHATTY!
6996
I would recommend a psych evaluation - s/he may be depressed, or maybe the trauma made the person react in this way when s/he normally would not.  either way, it doesn't sound safe, so someone professional should talk to him/her and find out how to keep the person safe until things improve!
716546
Sounds similar to schizophrenia or some type of psychotic disorder. However if this is a new behavior that just started out of the blue it could be some sort of medical condition or reaction to a medication. Either way encourage some follow up with a doctor.