How do you deal with intrusive thoughts?

[goldilockz]

Hi everyone,

I have suffered from what some people would call 'Pure O' for over a year now. It has become better with time as I've learnt more about the disorder and learnt techniques for dealing with certain thoughts. However, my mind often repeats 'I am a paedophile' (which is just about the worst possible thing I can imagine). Although rationally I know this could not be further from the truth, I can't help but freak out in anticipation of the thought or when it arrives. My heart sinks, I feel physically sick and I start to doubt or question myself. It happens when I'm down (for example, I had a major upset the other day and was crying. The thoughts were coming thick and fast and I felt like the bully was kicking me when I was down) and also when I'm happy, as if something is trying to take away my happiness. I have read several books and sometimes say 'thank you mind for that horrible thought' in attempt to accept it. Please could someone provide me with effective ways to deal with such thoughts so I take away the meaning of them and start to believe in myself again?

Thank you xx

[musicman65]

I was having a difficult time a while back with morbid thoughts that were making me sick that I believed I couldn't stop. How did I get rid of them? Not on purpose, is the honest answer. I was going through a particularly rough time with panic attacks and that was probably just a byproduct. At the time, my mind was too free and not occupied enough. This is where distraction comes in and I believe in its importance. Anything that will place your thoughts somewhere else.

[joannap]

i find that purely accepting the fear that comes with the thoughts is the way forward and to let the thoughts be there but without interacting with them. withdrawing from them/trying to stop them coming is the worst thing as they just return with more force. as soon as the anxiety levels start to come down - the thoughts naturally recede because they are a by product of adrenalin.

[goldilockz]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your replies. I guess acceptance is the way to go: it's certainly the most effective technique. I think I need to exercise acceptance in every aspect of my life. I was confronted with a boy racer this morning on the way to work and instead of accepting that he was going to cut me up, I got really angry when he went in front of me without indicating and slammed my horn. I then sped in front of him, trying to outdo him. This just made me feel anxious as if I was competing in some way. As annoying as bad drivers are, I think the best thing for me to do is accept their ways and let them pass: the same applies to intrusive thoughts.

Goldi xxx

[Emphyrio]

Hi Goldi,

I sometimes get intrusive thoughts too concerning myself and those close to me - mainly concerned with losing control and harming myself or others, even though I don't want to do this. It appears I only get these thoughts when things have gone better than expected, or I have felt less depressed. Most of the time (including at the moment) I have low self esteem, worries about trivial things, and feelings of hopelessness, but with none of these intrusive thoughts. If I don't feel depressed/anxious, it seems as if the intrusive thoughts get the upper hand - in some ways this prevents me from being more 'successful' or 'ambitious' as I am worried that the intrusive thoughts may take the place of any feelings or hopelessness...

Anyway, I find that good ways of dealing with intrusive thoughts are not to dwell on them if possible, but do something else, like socialise with friends. Even having a walk can help clear the mind, and the exercise appears to be good. Also, remember that it isn't really you that has these thoughts, but it's the OCD.

[Neuro-sis]

Hi everyone,

I have suffered from what some people would call 'Pure O' for over a year now. It has become better with time as I've learnt more about the disorder and learnt techniques for dealing with certain thoughts. However, my mind often repeats 'I am a paedophile' (which is just about the worst possible thing I can imagine). Although rationally I know this could not be further from the truth, I can't help but freak out in anticipation of the thought or when it arrives. My heart sinks, I feel physically sick and I start to doubt or question myself. It happens when I'm down (for example, I had a major upset the other day and was crying. The thoughts were coming thick and fast and I felt like the bully was kicking me when I was down) and also when I'm happy, as if something is trying to take away my happiness. I have read several books and sometimes say 'thank you mind for that horrible thought' in attempt to accept it. Please could someone provide me with effective ways to deal with such thoughts so I take away the meaning of them and start to believe in myself again?

Thank you xx
Intrusive thoughts are awful, i know where your coming from there, i have the same sinking feeling and im always thinking that my happiness will be taken away from me. One thing to remember....You are not your thoughts
they are just thoughts but the chemicals that those thoughts releases make them feel more real and more part of you if that makes sense. I know its hard but if one of those heavy thoughts float in again (and thats exactly what they do...float in) just let it float back out again, try not to let yourself hold onto it, just let it sail on through, you are not that thought:) I dont know wether thats helpful or not but thats what i do when dark and vile things intrude in my thinking.

Yours truly Neuro-sis x

[RichardL]

Hi there,

Im replying to this thread from experience. I have struggled with intrusive thoughts for sometime now. Things would come into my head that I never thought I was capable of thinking of! The things I have learned in helping me on my road to recovery is the fact that you can never truly control what comes into your head, but you CAN control how your react to that thought. Truth is its not just us 'anxiety' sufferers who struggle with intrusive thoughts, but as we suffer with anxiety we worry about them more! Makes sense when you think about it really!

Good saying -

"You can't control it if a bird lands on your head, but you can stop it from making a nest"

I hope this helps you - it has me.

All the best, and remember, you're not alone.
x

[jester]

Hi everyone,

I have suffered from what some people would call 'Pure O' for over a year now. It has become better with time as I've learnt more about the disorder and learnt techniques for dealing with certain thoughts. However, my mind often repeats 'I am a paedophile' (which is just about the worst possible thing I can imagine). Although rationally I know this could not be further from the truth, I can't help but freak out in anticipation of the thought or when it arrives. My heart sinks, I feel physically sick and I start to doubt or question myself. It happens when I'm down (for example, I had a major upset the other day and was crying. The thoughts were coming thick and fast and I felt like the bully was kicking me when I was down) and also when I'm happy, as if something is trying to take away my happiness. I have read several books and sometimes say 'thank you mind for that horrible thought' in attempt to accept it. Please could someone provide me with effective ways to deal with such thoughts so I take away the meaning of them and start to believe in myself again?

Thank you xx



hi, i have exactly the same problem , its making me so ill just the thought of the topic, i no in my self that it couldnt be any further from the truth but with such a topic stuck in your head you tend to analyse every area of it then start to doubt your self . it the very worse of things because once it sets in you cant think of nothing else. but you no in your self that its not true. i have become that anxious and depressed over this its unreal. i keep telling my self im 26 why am i suffering from this? but i have went to see the doc and he has started me on 50mg of sertraline apparently its really good with anxiety and depression so fingers crossed but thats just half the battle the other half is doing it your self which is hard when your so low.

Good luck

[wishfullthinker]

Hi goldiloks, reading what you put was like looking in the mirror. I have the same thoughts that i have a constant battle with. When the news comes on i think am igonna be a murderer. Its so scary, i went to the doc and had cognitive behavour therapy. I was so shaken and upset by what i was thinking i thought i was going mad and i was the worse, sickess person in the world. now thoughts still come but i remember what my councilar said to me
" If you were ever gonna be what you are thinking, it would not upset and distress you like this" I hold on to that cos its hard when they pop in your head, if you ever want to chat im here. Just think to yourself its just another thought and push it aside, take care x