Racing Thoughts in Teens: Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies
October 14, 2025
We all know what it’s like to have racing thoughts, and as adults, we often try to find ways to manage them. With more knowledge and access to support, we’re usually better able to cope.
However, for teens, the same experience can feel heavier and confusing. They may struggle to explain what’s happening, leaving parents struggling to put the pieces together without knowing the full picture.
If racing thoughts in teens is becoming a concern for you as a parent, a mental health professional can help you better understand their root causes and potential treatment options.
This page can also work as a useful guide to understanding racing thoughts. By reading on, you’ll get a clearer sense of:
- What racing thoughts are
- What can cause racing thoughts in teens
- Signs and symptoms to look out for
- The consequences of persistent racing thoughts
- Where to turn for help for your teen
What Are Racing Thoughts?
Racing thoughts are a rapid stream of thinking where ideas move so quickly that they feel overwhelming or impossible to control. For instance, they can feel like the brain has been switched “on” and refuses to power down, no matter how much you try to calm it.
The thoughts themselves don’t always make sense, either. Sometimes they connect loosely, like stepping stones that don’t quite line up, while other times they have no connection at all, crashing into each other with no order or reason. They can even feel contradictory, with one thought sparking the exact opposite thought only seconds later.
These types of thoughts can happen at night,1 especially when the darkness and silence create the perfect playground for racing thoughts to take over. For example, you might think, Remember when you did that embarrassing thing years ago? Let’s relive it all night, wide awake as the hours crawl by.
Of course, racing thoughts are not confined to the night, and, when they occur during the day, the constant intrusion can make it difficult to focus on or finish anything.
Over time, racing thoughts can become exhausting, as the more they pile up, the harder it becomes to separate what actually matters from what the mind is firing off.
Can Racing Thoughts Affect Teens?
Racing thoughts can happen to anyone from time to time, adults included. In teenagers, however, they can feel particularly noticeable because adolescence is a stage of rapid change. Emotions during these years are often considered more frequent and intense compared to adulthood,2 which can make racing thoughts more likely.
While it might seem like this is simply part of growing up, there are other factors involved. By understanding these, you can begin to see why your teen may be struggling with racing thoughts more than you might expect.
These factors often include:
Lifestyle- Cognitive stressors
- Neurodevelopmental issues
The following sections consider the impact of each of these in turn.
Lifestyle Factors
Teens often have a lot on their plates, juggling schoolwork, relationships, and the tension of family life. Stress like this typically does not sit quietly; it can pile up, and before long, gives racing thoughts the perfect space to move in.7
Plus, once you add technology into the mix, the noise can get even louder. One study has even linked heavy screen use in adolescents to “manic-like” symptoms, including racing thoughts.8
Cognitive Stressors
According to research, anxiety and perfectionistic thinking are two of the strongest triggers of racing thoughts in adolescents. In fact, teens often describe how worrying about an important event or an unmet demand can set off a flood of intrusive thoughts that feel impossible to stop.
In one interview study of young people with ADHD, a participant explained: “If there is something extremely important and I won’t be able to finish it, then I go around and think about it all the time.”6
This explanation demonstrates that racing thoughts, especially in teens with ADHD, can be triggered by unfinished tasks, leading to a mental loop that can be hard to switch off.
The same study also showed that in high-pressure situations, like meeting new people or facing a deadline, thoughts sped up uncontrollably. Even small changes in daily routine had an impact on a teen’s inner narrative.
Neurodevelopmental Factors
Several studies show that racing thoughts are closely tied to conditions that affect brain development in young people. For example:
Adolescents with ADHD describe their minds as being in “constant motion,” with one study finding that those with stronger hyperactive symptoms reported more “freely moving” thoughts, even during low-demand situations.3- A meta-analysis of children with bipolar disorder found that more than 70% of paediatric manic episodes included symptoms such as racing thoughts.4
- One study found that 32.4% of autistic adults experienced difficulty thinking, with a further 29.4% stating that they had an overactive mind.5
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Racing Thoughts In Teens?
As teens often struggle to articulate what they feel, they may not always recognize that their racing thoughts are causing them difficulty. It can be hard to separate what is “normal” from what is overwhelming. Plus, if a teen has lived with racing thoughts for as long as they can remember, they may not question them. This is why noticing the signs of racing thoughts is so important.
While you cannot read their minds, you can pay attention to clues that appear in the way a teen speaks or acts. These small indicators can open the door to further understanding and give you a chance to support them.
Below, we look at how racing thoughts can show up physically, as well as the behavioral signs that might hint at the struggle going on internally.
Physical Signs of Racing Thoughts in Teens:9
| Symptom | Cause |
| Restless look, eyes darting | Reflects the fast pace of thoughts running through their head |
| Rapid speech | Words spill out quickly as the mind races ahead of the “normal” conversational rhythm |
| Fidgeting or tapping | Body movements could act as a release for built-up tension from an overactive mind |
| Trouble sleeping | Constant mental activity prevents deep rest, leaving them more overwhelmed the next day |
| Headaches or shoulder tension | Physical strain could build from mental pressure, causing psychosomatic symptoms |
| Shifts in appetite | Stress can alter eating patterns, which could potentially lead to changes in eating habits |
Behavioral Signs of Racing Thoughts in Teens:
| Symptom | Cause |
| Scattered conversation | Speech mirrors the rapid, jumping nature of their thoughts |
| Withdrawal from interaction | Conversation can feel overwhelming, so retreating feels easier |
| Declining schoolwork | Concentration issues could lead to academic struggles |
| Irritability | Frustration grows when the mind won’t slow down, causing negative outbursts |
| Forgetfulness | Divided attention makes it harder to retain or recall everyday details |
What Are the Consequences of Racing Thoughts in Teens?
The occasional bout of racing thoughts can be typical – especially after a stressful event. However, the reality is that persistent racing thoughts can lead to other difficulties, directly impacting the present and the future.
Below, we take a look at some of these issues:
Sleep Issues
Racing thoughts can lead to a lack of sleep. This is due to something called “cognitive pre-sleep arousal,”10 where the mind circles through thoughts without slowing down. This mental loop can push sleep further away and make the rest that does come feel shallow. By the next day, fatigue is already in place, affecting a teen’s ability to think clearly and function in everyday tasks.
Academic Struggles
Studies with adolescents reveal how the speed of thought can outpace expression, leading to frustration. In one interview, a teen participant stated, “I’m thinking so much quicker than I talk or write…I have to wait…and then I have forgotten all that I was thinking about.” 6
This gap between thinking and action can lead to lost ideas and slower progress in completing schoolwork. Some students may even eventually abandon tasks because the effort feels unmanageable.
Emotional Impact
Interview research highlights how some adolescents report “feeling like failures” because they cannot silence their thoughts, causing outbursts once the stress builds too high.6 These findings suggest that racing thoughts may not stay contained and have ways of spilling out into interactions, putting strain on relationships.
Developmental Problems
Unpredictable social settings often trigger mental overload, leading many teens to avoid such situations entirely.6 This avoidance, while potentially offering short-term relief, gradually reduces opportunities to practice resilience and develop social confidence. As a result, repeated withdrawal can have long-lasting effects.
My Teen Is Dealing With Persistent Racing Thoughts – What Can I Do?
When your teen is caught up in racing thoughts, it is natural to want to step in and fix things, but this can be hard to do on your own. Even with the best intentions, parents rarely have the tools to work out what is behind the issue without additional support.
That said, there are some small coping strategies you can try together in the moment. These include:
- Breathing exercises: Slowing the breath can help bring a teen’s focus back into their body
- Journaling: Putting thoughts on paper allows them to spill out rather than circle endlessly
- Grounding techniques: Naming what they can see or hear helps to anchor teens in the present
- Gentle exercise: Walking or stretching can give restless energy a place to go
These tools can offer on-the-spot relief and be soothing if your teen is struggling to deal with racing thoughts.
However, if coping strategies only bring short relief and racing thoughts cause overwhelm or academic struggles, it may be time to seek mental health support.
When a young person is struggling, professionals will often look at whether the racing mind is connected to conditions such as bipolar disorder or anxiety, known as a “differential diagnosis.”11 If these links are ruled out, the attention can shift to what else may be driving the problem.
Professionals will be able to suggest coping strategies to help your teen manage, guiding them through the process, and showing them how to put tools into practice in ways that fit into everyday life.
Where Can I Find Mental Health Support for My Teen?
When your teen’s thoughts keep racing and you’re unsure what it means, the hardest part can be not knowing where to turn. Persistent racing thoughts rarely exist on their own and often sit alongside conditions like:
- Anxiety
- Trauma and PTSD
- Depression
- ADHD
At Mission Prep, we work with teens caught in these patterns and with families left wondering how to help. Our approach recognizes that racing thoughts are not a single symptom but part of a bigger picture. By untangling this picture, we give space for your teen to slow down and begin to feel some relief.
This is why we use therapies like CBT, which help break the cycles of intrusive thinking, and DBT, which can bring structure to overwhelming emotions. Family therapy may help to strengthen the connections that matter most at home, while group sessions could add reassurance that your teen is not going through this alone. Each of these therapies can be brought together in a way that fits your teen and your family.
With residential and intensive outpatient programs across the US, Mission Prep offers support that adapts to your situation. Reach out today and take a step toward a calmer future for your teen.
References
- Weiner, L., Martz, E., Kilic-Huck, Ü., Siegel, N., Bertschy, G., Geoffroy, P. A., Weibel, S., & Bourgin, P. (2021). Investigating racing thoughts in insomnia: A neglected piece of the mood-sleep puzzle? Comprehensive Psychiatry, 111, 152271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152271
- Towner, E., Chierchia, G., & Blakemore, S-J. (2023). Sensitivity and specificity in affective and social learning in adolescence. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 27(7), S1364-6613(23)00092X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2023.04.002
- Raffaelli, Q., Rai, S., Galbraith, A., Krupa, A., Buerkner, J., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Callahan, B. L., & Julia. (2025). Hyperactive ADHD symptoms are associated with increased variability in thought content in less constrained contexts. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93053-x
- Kowatch, R. A., Youngstrom, E. A., Danielyan, A., & Findling, R. L. (2005). Review and meta-analysis of the phenomenology and clinical characteristics of mania in children and adolescents. Bipolar Disorders, 7(6), 483–496. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5618.2005.00261.x
- Jolliffe, R., Adams, D., & Simpson, K. (2025). State and trait anxiety in autistic children; Signs reported by autistic adults and parents of autistic children. Research in Autism, 123, 202552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202552
- Öster, C., Ramklint, M., Meyer, J., & Isaksson, J. (2019). How do adolescents with ADHD perceive and experience stress? An interview study. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 74(2), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2019.1677771
- Quintens, L., De Smet, M., Schoofs, M., Peeters, H., Van Nieuwenhove, K., Meganck, R. (2024). From Difficulty to Speak to Unraveling Racing Thoughts: A Grounded Theory Study on Adolescent’ Experiences in Community-based Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30902.51529
- Nagata, J. M., Zamora, G., Abubakr A A Al-Shoaibi, Lavender, J. M., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A., He, J., & Baker, F. C. (2025). Screen time and manic symptoms in early adolescents: prospective findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-025-02814-6
- Homish, G. G., Marshall, D., Dubovsky, S. L., & Leonard, K. (2013). Predictors of later bipolar disorder in patients with subthreshold symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 144(1-2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.06.020
- Gregory, A. M., Willis, T. A., Wiggs, L., & Harvey, A. G. (2008). Presleep Arousal and Sleep Disturbances in Children. Sleep, 31(12), 1745–1747. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/31.12.1745
- Carlson, G. A. (2012). Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. World Psychiatry, 11(3), 146–152. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2012.tb00115.x
