I believe the more accurate term is earworm
this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2026
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ADHD
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That's not what echolalia is. Echolalia is when someone repeats exactly what someone else just said as an unconscious response. It's nothing to do with getting a song stuck in your head (which is a completely normal thing that happens to all people whether neurotypical or not).
Oh thank you, hey my brain does that too, repeats back what other people say 🤯😭
Well thanks for the earworm, lol. However I think Annie is awesome as is the song.
Anyhow, as others pointed out this doesn't match much with echolalia. Its kinda repeating fixed words or sentences sometimes also not within correct context.
Examples of mine: repeating the wrong name (!) when introducing or ordering something wrong although you have the right thing in your head but it's kinda talking on autopilot.
Simpler examples of children are mostly direct repeating. I thought echolalia applies to autism and not adhs but I've learned it can be with both today.
Anyhow... On replacing looping stuff in my head only being busy with something else works (not adhd though).
Sweet dreams are made of these
Only thing I've found is that they can be replaced. Luckily I only get a few hours of this at a time.
There's a local joke that goes like, "do you know how to get a catchy joke out of your head? By replacing it with another catchy song."
In a serious point going by that, the best I can suggest is to try to take your focus away from the music or whatever triggers it in your mind.
I have similar issues with this. I feel like I have negligible control over what music is stuck in my head, to the point that sometimes it feels like my brain chooses which songs to play on infinite loop in my head based on what’s most likely to ruin my day or mood, or tempt me into taking an ice pick to my ear drums. In contrast, trying to get a song I like stuck in my head often feels as frustrating as trying to wrestle a greased up angry toddler.
I have noise cancelling headphones that work well for countering this, but I’m often in situations where it would be very weird for me to use them, so I’m often powerless to do anything about it.
The more I hate a song being played in a public space, the more my brain wants to make me miserable by forcing me to pay attention to the hated song and nothing else.
The more I hate a song being played in a public space, the more my brain wants to make me miserable by forcing me to pay attention to the hated song and nothing else.
Same! 😭
This only happens to me during severe headaches. But it's like a pain amplifier when it's occurring. Something about the repetitive nature of looping thoughts heightens the anguish.
Echolalia