View Full Version : Racing, crazy thoughts
:weep: I lie in bed at nite and I am really anxiuos and agitated. I try to get to sleep and have crazy, non sensical thoughts running through my mind. Like - OMG i will have to put the Xmax tree up soon which sent a wave of panic, sweat etc. It'sages away from Xmas so why think this now? And other strange thoughts zapping through that I cannot seem to stop. Dear god I think I have lost it.
Jo
Lilith1980
06-11-07, 09:13
I've read that instead of lying awake, try and do something to distract your mind, but something that is really dull to help you feel tired. Read a boring book, have some ovaltine or something?
I've never really had trouble sleeping due to intrusive thoughts so I'm not sure how you would deal with this. Are you seeing a therapist? Or have you got medication? xx
i too have racing thoughts - for me this is the worst symptom of anxiety. my brain goes at 100 miles an hour constantly and its like i argue with every thought and every thought leads to a million of other thoughts - horrible. i have been taking citalopram for 2 weeks 2 days and feel no benefit as such yet. how quickly did it work for you last time? maybe you need to let it build up in your system and i have read many times that the first few weeks on ssri's can make you feel worse. i too am finding my sleep badly affected and because my mind races so much - i too feel i cannot put any cbt/positive thoughts into practice.
what i find helps is to focus on my breathing. i tell myself i don;t need to answer these thoughts or focus on them - i try to just let them race and do 20 mins of deep breathing 3 times a day. i think this is something that improves v slowly - not overnight. i find mornings the hardest to deal with as every morning i somehow think it might be gone and then wham - it starts all over again so you are not alone. i remember telling my doctor a few weeks ago that i felt the worst case in the world but that is just the way that we are feeling - not reality.:hugs:
Lilith1980
06-11-07, 10:06
Do you find you are fighting the thoughts? One way to deal with them is to let them run through your head and eventually they are supposed go away because if you fight them, it makes them worse.
When I have intrusive thoughts, the more I try and reason with them, the more they fight back and t makes me more anxious so I'm trying to let them "wash over me". It is hard though because its not a natural thing for me to try and "sit with" distrubing thoughts.
hi. me personally - i am trying to let them wash over me. at first i used to find myself arguing or trying to reason with them - i still do at times but have realised i am never going to win! i suppose i feel that if i don;t follow them through - i will loose the plot but am starting to realise that i don;t have to sort these thoughts out. its like i thought i would "loose" myself in them and never retun if i didn;t argue with them but now - if i let them wash over me - i have moments of clarity where i can see them for what they are. i still find this difficult to do - its hard and upsetting when your brain gives you no peace. x
HI, I know just how you feel. I have these awful thoughts too and as I am home alone so much, I keep thinking that I am going mad. I am sat at the computer skaking and crying as I type. I am 50 years old and just put my fist post in the introduce yourself section. This is made all the more difficult for me as none of my family understand me and my condition and have no idea of the impact it has on your life. Its is very hard and upsetting when your brain gives you no peace.
I have recently started trying to do deep breathing exercises though I should maybe do it more often joannap. And like you joannap, every morning I keep thinking this maight be all gone, then wham, just like you, it all starts again. It is so so disappointing.
Do you get out at all during the day?
BasilCat
hi basilcat
you are not alone and you are not going mad - even though it feels like it. if you went mad from racing thoughts - i would have been there a long time ago! and anxiety NEVER leads to madness - just more anxiety so try not to get upset by them. i find that gradually - i am now able to realise when i am "listening" in and debating with them and as soon as i am aware - i deep breath and just let the anxiety feelings wash over me. 10-15 mins later i can see them more in perspective.
i think its just a symptom of an over tired brain so the more we get upset - the more tiredness, the more thoughts. i find my thoughts are about anything and everything. for instance - i was looking at my sofa this morning and was wondering where it was made etc and this led to really freaky thoughts of slave labour/materialism/impact on the environment!!!!
i do get out - even if i don;t feel like it i try to stick to living a normal life as much as poss. luckily i have a v supportive husband and my mum is great too - i can ring her at any time of day when i get beyond myself and she calms me down! why don;t you show your family this forum - it may give them an idea of what you are going through? are you on any medication to help you?
i think the thing to do is to accept that this racing brain will be with you for some time to come - i know myself its hard but i am trying to sort of welcome it now in the morning as i have read that the more you allow something to be there - the less it will bother you and gradually start to disappear. jo x:hugs:
:weep: :blush:
hello Basilcat it's worse when you don't feel like u can go out. I can only go out after taking tranquillisers and i wouldn't recommend u get addicted to those!! At moment i have no pills to help me and feel terrified at the very thought!! especially as i know can't stay prisoner in my bedroom forever.
Very frustrating when there is no one to understand, my family have to put up with me alot , they went through it themselves but have absolutely no idea how to deal with their daughters problems. They are very good people ,but you really need professionals to help. If you gave them some literature to read on anxiety etc it might help. I just go round and round in circles trying to explain though to my mum, dad, husband and this hasn't got me anywhere.
this site does help if u use it regularly and read the forums and just sit in on a chat now and then even if you can't bring yourself to type anything
Anyway take care and let us know how you get on
Lots of love Richie xxxxxxxxxxxxxx:hugs:
Hi Jo, Thanks for telling me I am not alone and I am not going mad. Yes it does feel like it but thanks for telling me otherwise. Thank god that anxiety, as you say, never leads to madness!! It feels like it at times though, doesnt it. I suppose that thats the trick, not being upset by what I am thinking. I know what you mean when you mentiom listening in and debating with your thoughts so thats another tip, deep breathing and letting the feelings wash over me. I tried that last week using a Relaxation CD and I admit that though it was the first time I had used it, it worked a treat. But I have not been able to do it just as good since so maybe I need a lot of practise to get it right every time. Do you breathe in for 5 and out for 5? This is what it says on the CD. After last weeks good attempt with the CD I can see why after 15 minutes or so, you would see you thougts in more perspective.
Yes its proably a symptom of an overtired brain, so the more upset we get, the more tiredness and it jsut snowballs. My main worry/fear/irrational thoughts at the moment are:
1) I dont want to drive the car so far and will I ever be able to drive out of this town again?
2) Will I ever be my ususal self again?
3) I dont want to be so far away from my car if I do go out around town in it.
4)I dont want to go with my mates in their cars as I cant just go home when I want to or leave when I want to.
5) I dont want to go out with hubby and the kids as I dont want them to see me acting strangely or not being able to cope with how I am feeling.
6) I have thoughts about morbid things and dreadful things happening to my family.
7) I spend a lot of time monitoring my self and tensing up against how I am feeling and that makes me feel like my balance is going a bit and then further fear thoughts - you know what I mean and I know I shouldnt be doing it.
8) I dont know how much longer I can cope with being like this. Your thoughts are certainly most unusual arent they.
I dont know about you but one of my main symptoms is, dare I say it, unreality!!!! This is what I have been tensing up against and it only makes it worse really. Then other symptoms join in too.
Like you I try and get out every day, no matter how I am feeling. Since last Monday I have been to:
Monday - Slimming World
Tuesday - Counselling re my past though I ended up feeling worse as a result!
Wednesday - Top end of town where it was quite and I could park the car.
Thursday - Samaritans though I felt worse after that visit too.
Friday - Half an hour in Tescos, the biggest in the North West, looking at clothes.
Friday - a quick walk round to Homebase (trying to get past this need to be fairly close to where the car is parked.
Saturday - Tescos shopping. I went for the last half hour and met hubby half way round the store.
Sunday - Went 3 miles in car with hubby driving to Dunhelm Mill to look at curtains. Got the car key off him when he went to the other end of the store, just in case.
Monday - Slimmming World
Tuesday - yesterday - Craft club but left after 1.25hours as I felt strange though as soon as I got up to leave, the feelings were leaving me.
and today
I went down to the shopping mall and stayed 3/4hr. I was tense and could feel myself over balancing and tried to relax to stop it.
Thats itso far. So I do get out every day though its not always easy. Glad your mum and husband are so good with your situation. I ring my mum up too as she lives 60 miles away and thats the only way we make regular contact. She is great too and hubby is good though he isnt aware of how emotionally/physically and mentally shattering this all is. I tired to get him to see the other day by explaining that if I was on top of the London Eye in one of those pods. I would be in a real mess, absolutely terrified and in bits. I said that thats how anxiety can make you feel, even when you are doing some everyday boring thing. And for me, walking around and going to the shop etc is like I am walking on the embankment knowing full well that I have to get on the London Eye or go up the Eiffel Tower or something similar.
But yes Jo, I think I will take your tip and try and welcome it in a morning as I know just what you mean when you say that the more you allow something to be there, the less it will bother you. Thats a good thing to remember. Accept, Accept, Accept any feelings/thoughts no matter what.
Thanks Jo. One of these days its going to be marvelllous isnt it?
Thanks for your support
Shirley
x
PS. Do you think that exercise helps and if so, what can I do in my home?
Lilith1980
07-11-07, 14:54
I bought a couple of exercise DVDs cos I cant afford the gym and jumping around and burning some energy makes me feel so much better and makes me feel like I am taking care of myself.
I got one called the "10 Minute Solution Carb and Calorie Burner". Its got five, 10 minute routines and you can do as many or as few of the as you want. The 10 minute session go by so quick that when you get to the end, you want to do another one!
Have a look and see what's out there cos it all depends what you want to do. Some people prefer the "dancing" style workouts and others like kickboxing or the more aggressive side xxx
Hi Richie, I have been there before today and not felt like I could go out so I know how that feels too. I know that feeling of being terrified and its made worse when no-one understands you and your behaviour. No-one understands me either. I feel like I am letting the whole family down with this. I am glad your family are good people but yes it needs professionals to help. I am not taking anything at the moment and have no other help either. Though I am down for anxiety counselling at the surgery when it comes to my turn. I will have to spend more time reading the site and I will join the chat now and again. How often is there a chat room open and when?
Back soon
Take Care
Shirley
Hi Lilith, Thanks for that. They say that exercise uses up the adrenalin dont they? So I will have to have a look around to see what I can find.
Thanks
Shirley
Hi everyone,
I'm another member of the 'racing, crazy thoughts' club, as you've probably seen from my recent posts. It is for me the worst aspect of anxiety by a mile. I know it's caused by anxiety but I can't stop worrying about the thoughts that go through my head - in particular, 'I'm losing the plot' or @I'm a danger to people'. I also know that thinking and worrying about it makes it worse but I seem to just get locked into the thoughts.
I'm going through a bad patch at the moment - I just want some tranquility. I'm working but that brings it's own pressures - sometimes I just want to hide away but in an open plan office, that's not possible. I desperately don't want to be off sick as firstly, that would be my third time in two years and secondly, idle hands are the devils tools - I'm sure I would be worse with more time on my hands.
As others have said, mornings are worst for me also. I'm sleeping well, so I take that as a good sign. I usually have a small dram (whisky) before bed and I'm asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, no probs. I don't usually stir until 5 am. I really look forward to bed as that's my tranquil time, trouble is, I'm not doing anything!!
I also find it worst when I'm hungry and if I wake up hungry, I usually have a glass of milk or a cup of tea. That helps.
It's been a tough day, I just wanted to get all that off my chest. It's comforting to know I'm not alone but I'm desperate to get out of this mess and get on with my life.
It's good to trade ideas, so thanks for listening.
Best wishes to you all.
A
Shirley,
If no-ones pointed you to them as yet, there are some excellent books by Claire Weekes 'Self Help for Your Nerves' & 'Essential Help for your Nerves' - have a browse on Amazon. They explain the whole anxiety thing in a way that's easy to understand.
Cheers
A
hi basilcat
that made me smile about my thoughts being unusual! only because i have no problems driving or leaving town or anything like that so that to me is unusual too! i suppose anxiety all flows into different things for all of us.
amazingly - my gp told me today that we have a consultant psychologist at our surgery - waiting time for cbt is only 8-12 weeks so have asked for a referral.
Hi all, Goodmorning, I hope you are feeling ok. I am sat here with tears rolling down my face again knowing that apart from the hairdresser who is coming at 9am to cut my hair, I am going to be alone with my thoughts all day!!
joannap, Glad I made you smile. And good to know that there is a Psychologist at your surgery too.
Tonkaboy, Thanks for your message. Yes I have got one of Claire Weekes books and its great. I was reading it in the bath the other week and I felt bit uplifted for having done so. I agree she is great. But I find it difficult keeping all the best and most important facts in my head. Perhaps I should keep reading it?
Re intrusive thoughts, this is what is upsetting me now, those and the unreality. Anyone else have unreality on here?
God knows this is all so lonely and I can understand the tranquility and peace you are wanting Tonkaboy. Like you, I am going through a bad patch at the moment and mornings are always the worst. Like you, days are tough for me also and I am desperate to get out of this mess and live a normal life too - but maybe being desperate is making it worse Tonkaboy? Trouble is, its not easy to not be desperate is it.
From BasilCat
oooooooo this is exactly wat i get wen im trying to sleep. i thought i was crazy too but i asked ppl and nearly everyone sed they get this. its just our brain working over time xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Good Afternoon BasilCat,
Just popped home for lunch. I think you're right - it's the desperation that holds us in anxieties clutches. I've always found that it fades away when I stop dwelling on it and wishing it away. Trouble is I'm not very good at doing that when it's bothering me badly.
Today, I've had clear glimpses that I can trust myself and believe in myself. I can see that all of these daft ideas flying through my head are just that. Then the doubt creeps in and off I go again. I'm working on the theory that the glimpses will become longer.
People have said to me work on reducing the anxiety and not answering the thoughts as they are caused by anxiety and aren't real anyway so can't be reasoned with - is that right Joanap?
So, thats what i'm going to try - relaxation exercises every evening and when I get a horrible thought, say to myself, 'chill, deep breath and let it go, it's anxiety talking, not reality'. I'll let you know how I get on.
In the meantime, post or drop me a PM anytime as I know how lonely anxiety can make you. I have a beautiful wife and a fantastic 15 month old son but that doesn't stop me feeling isolated at times.
All the best and look after yourself.
Tonkaboy
Basilcat (((hugs))) to you.
You're most definately not alone hun. I'm fairly new here too, and have found this site to be excellent and so informative, it's the best site I have come across:D.
You will find many people in exactly the same position as you, you will never feel alone here.
I find that exercise helps SO much, that I'm even going to be studying a course to train as a Fitness Instructor because of it. I hope to eventually specialise in the Mental Health, not only will I will helping myself but others too, which for me is so rewarding.
As already mentioned, if you feel more comfortable doing exercise in your own home there are ton's of exercise dvd's out there, some even specialise in anxiety. Check out Amazon, you're sure to find something good there.
Take care it easy Basilcat, and see you around the site xxx :byebye:
Hi Tonkaboy, Good afternoon and thanks for your message. I know what you mean about the anxiety fading when you stop dwelling on it and wishing it away because it has done that for me before today too. I am not good at doing that either when it is bad. It is troubling me now and my balance is going as I sit here typing - I have to keep correcting it if you know what I mean.
Glad that you have had clear glimpses that you can trust and believe in yourself. I will have to take a leaf out of your book and realise that all my stupid and awful thoughts, are just that, stupid and dont mean anything and are not reality. Yes doubt is a bind isnt it. Hopefully your glimpses will last longer though. I agree that the thoughts arent real and cant be reasonened with so just work on the anxiety. I wonder what joannap will say to that one. I think its right anyway.
I think I am going to do the same as you Tonkaboy and tell myself to chill with the help of a deep breath and more relaxation. I will keep you posted.
I was going to PM you only I cant see how. Like you with your wife and child, I have got a good husband and 13 year old twins but I feel isolated so much. So drop me a PM if you want and I will be here.
Take Care
Back soon
BasilCat
i agree with you basilcat! that's what i mean by letting the thoughts and panic wash over me and then being able to almost smile at them - i suppose that's what glimpsing is. its sooooo hard at first but it does get easier slowly. x
Hi Katie, Thanks for your message and letting me know I am not alone - it feels like it at times though. I was wondering about exercise - now you have put me right on that one too. I will have to see what I can find in the way of exercise DVDs etc. It must be good if you are going to be a fitness instructor because of it. Thats great Katie. Other than fitness DVDs what would you recommend to do at home? If I had got one of those Step Boards, maybe that would have been an option with my favourite music on. How long do you exercise for in a day Katie.
Thanks again
Hugs to you too.
BasilCat
Thanks joannap, At least I have got something right!! I am sat here now with my balance playing up. Perhaps I should smile now and say "So what?!!" or "It doesnt matter" then smile.
BasilCat
Hi joannap, Tonkaboy, Katie, Hope you are all ok. I didnt tell you did I that I managed tow hours out of the house this morning, well 11am till 1pm anyway. I went down to the sea front and parked outside Mc Donalds and sat there for an hour texting and receiving texts!! I was drinking Tropicana Orange. Then I went and parked near Matalan and was in there for 20 minutes looking at Xmas presents. Even bought a couple of presents. Then I went and had a look in Pets at Home and In Store. Next I drove up to Marshside (they keep showing clips of it on AutumnWatch) and went to the craft shop. So by the time I got home I had been gone about 2 hours. I felt calmer inside which was unusual as I am so used to feeling the opposite.
When I got home there was a letter from the doctor asking me to go in and discuss the results of blood tests that were done on Monday. I think I tensed up with that news and did not feel as good this afternoon and was so tense I was getting that balance loss again!! But its cleared again now. I think the muscles in my neck get so tight, they must affect my circulation! So as I said to Tonkaboy earlier, I really must get into this deep breathing and relaxation. But at least I wasnt home alone all day struggling with my thoughts.
I hope you are all ok and I will be back soon.
BasilCat
Well done BasilCat!! Keep the faith.
It's been a wild day up here in the North West, so I haven't strayed too far outdoors but only 'cos it's freezing and raining, no other reason.
I haven't caught Autumn Watch yet this year but Martin Mere is one of our favourite days out.
Talk to you soon.
A
Hi Tonkaboy, Thanks for your message. I was doing well this morning wasnt I.
I have just tried to see your PM but it wouldnt let me open it - something to do with a pop up blocker so I will sort it out later and hopefully get to read it then. My daughter is coming on here in a few minutes.
I am in Southport by the way and yes, it has been awful today. I have never seen rain like it down on the sea front.
Back soon
BasilCat
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