Tucuruí Polyclinic warns about the signs of Accelerated Thought Syndrome (ATS)
Psychologist Jordana da Silva Ferreira explains about mental exhaustion and guides on how to identify and treat ATS, which is increasingly present in modern life
In a world where everything moves quickly, the mind has also entered accelerated mode. The result is a constant feeling of tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and the impression that the 24 hours of the day are never enough. This is how psychologist Jordana da Silva Ferreira from the Lago de Tucuruí Polyclinic — a unit of the Government of Pará — describes Accelerated Thought Syndrome (ATS), a disorder that is gaining traction in conversations about mental health.
ATS is characterized by an excessive speed of thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and increased anxiety. “Our brain needs breaks. When thoughts don’t stop, it doesn’t rest. And this gradually undermines a person’s emotional and physical balance,” explains the psychologist.
Unlike anxiety, ATS is not related to the content of thoughts but to the excess and speed with which they occur.
Constant anxiety, difficulty sleeping, memory lapses, irritability, dissatisfaction, sudden mood changes, intolerance to frustrations, and physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches are common signs of the syndrome. “Another classic symptom is the feeling that time is not enough to handle everything,” reinforces Jordana.
In childhood and adolescence
According to the specialist, ATS also affects younger individuals. In these cases, it can be confused with ADHD. “The child feels tired all the time, irritable, has poor sleep, forgets tasks, and starts to have physical symptoms such as muscle and stomach pains,” details Jordana.
Excessive screen time, social media, and the need to produce more in less time are among the factors that most aggravate the syndrome. “The constant bombardment of stimuli makes people more impatient, immediate, and with low tolerance for waiting. This increases symptoms and harms mental health,” says the psychologist.
How to treat and when to seek help
Treatment at the Tucuruí Polyclinic is done through psychological support, technical listening, and psychoeducation based on cognitive-behavioral therapy. “The patient learns to slow down, reorganize thoughts, and change behaviors. This restores autonomy and helps improve quality of life,” affirms Jordana.
According to the specialist, it is time to seek professional help when symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. “Ignoring the signs can pave the way for more severe conditions, such as generalized anxiety and depression.”
Guidance
The psychologist recommends taking small breaks throughout the day, creating screen-free moments, breathing calmly, doing one thing at a time, and valuing simple activities, such as observing the sky or listening to music without distractions. “Slowing down is not a waste of time. It is health,” she emphasizes.
Service:
Psychological services at the Lago de Tucuruí Polyclinic, managed by the Institute of Social and Environmental Health of the Amazon (ISSAA), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), are conducted monthly, through referrals from other professionals in the unit, such as doctors and nutritionists, who work together to promote the mental health of users. The Lago de Tucuruí Polyclinic, located in Tucuruí, southeastern Pará, offers multiprofessional services through the Unified Health System (SUS) via the State Department of Public Health (Sespa).
Text by Roberta Paraense
