Internal Echolalia

Hi!
I have this. Mine is a bit different, as follows...
I internally repeat phrases I hear in conversation (while engaging in conversation or over hearing), or in films/tv, etc. My mind just automatically picks up a phrase and begins repeating it until its satisfied with it I suppose, haha, and then chooses another! Now what I also do in combination with this internal echolalia is I simultaneously count the syllables of the phrase on my fingers & or/toes by moving them; such as touching each finger to my thumb for each syllable, and repeating the cycle over and over. I do this while carrying on a conversation and/or watching a film! I seem to be able to continue to listen and engage in conversation while doing this, which boggles my mind! Although sometimes I space out while doing it as well.
I understand it to be a form of self-soothing - I find it soothes my anxiety, but I think its a kind of tic as well. It doesn't bother me because I've been doing it my whole life and its familiar and comforting to me in a way.
Perhaps I learned to internalize my echolalia as a child (being female with AS)...

Anyways, I'm sorry to hear you find it distressing and but know you're not alone!

I have internal repetition of things I say. When anxious, when I'm tired or in a new situation. Maybe it distracts me from the reaction of the other person?

I do this too. I didn't know it was a thing. Since I was very young.

TDT wrote:I have something like this as well, although the form mine takes is mostly in the area of daydreaming. I'll "make up" conversations, in general, in my own head with someone..or replay a conversation I had (either being segments of a conversation or full conversations) a large number of times.

this (this is a thing?)