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Chat Sep 16, 2019 at 04:55 AM
  #1
Intrusive thoughts are images or thoughts which are unwanted and cause great distress. Compulsion results from trying to make them stop.

Fear and hence anxiety become very real as images/thoughts keep on repeating, much like a looped song. People suffering from this condition will even get to live or relive upsetting scenarios.

What sort of intrusive thoughts do you get? When and why do you think they occur? How do you cope with them? Are there any useful resources you could share?

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Exclamation Sep 18, 2019 at 10:24 PM
  #2
I get most of my thoughts when im stressed or im not thinking at all like when my mind is just blank. I find they are the worst when i am alone or at night. I see really scary things as of late, things in the corner of my bedroom, voices telling me what to do, thoughts of hurting myself.
They make me want to run away from my own brain most times but the best thing i can do for it is keep telling myself "head out of the clouds" I've trained my brain to focus away from these things with that phrase and i just wait until the panic is over. This doesn't always work for me but ya know gotta try. This is all really new to me so i dont have much to offer but just keep trying and let me know if you figure anything out lol
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Default Sep 24, 2019 at 10:08 AM
  #3
Peace of Mind gives some insight on intrusive thoughts. Everyone has a different experience with them, but they're generally pretty pestering.

Personally, it would get to a point where I'd either start humming songs or count my steps, just to get my mind off whatever was coming at me. Since I tend to obsess over living and reliving scenarios in my head, these made-up lines of other people ravage my mind.

Best of health to everyone !
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Default Sep 24, 2019 at 12:10 PM
  #4
I get intrusive thoughts of hurting myself mostly and sometimes others. I just try to acknowledge that they're just intrusive thoughts and not anything I want to carry out.
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Default Sep 24, 2019 at 01:05 PM
  #5
I was coming on to create a post, as my OCD is biting hard just now. I'm afraid I don't have answers....but, if you're on meds, don't be the proud one, who decided, I'm going to just stop taking meds, I wana live life without pills, no, please, never come off them, unless your Doc says that's fine. Reach for peace, people you know who'll catch you from the dark. Sending hugs n respect x
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Default Oct 01, 2019 at 03:32 AM
  #6
Yes, I don't think anyone should cease medication if they're on it. Go through therapy and take medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Sometimes we think we're fine and then, just when we least expect it, something either triggers us, or we come undone.

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Default Nov 26, 2019 at 08:18 PM
  #7
I would like to know others opinions I did some things that put me in a situations i am very unhappy about with guilt, anxiety, depression you name. It has caused all kinds what I consider very intrusive thoughts. I have been diagnosed depression, anxiety, ptsd. The one thing I think was overlooked was pure o. The thoughts that play in my head on a loop. You are a worthless owner to your dog. See Iitteraly i isolated for days weeks a couple months ignoring my dogs needs. When I say literally I was in a room no tv on no distracting myself in a bed majority of that time eating very little. I am at my parents and they had to yell at me to come and be around them. After they were hurtful because of what did to what I call "gave up" life after serious attempt to do myself in. I did this while my dog.was right next to me makes me extremely guilt doing so. See my dog is a rescue. How could i do something like that when he has had a hard life to begin with. What a "shi**y owner you I am so guilt ridden that I feel i have to make up for it. No matter what I do. Why do i have to think liken this no matter how much I do with him. I take him a walk or couple walks daily with. I used to do that with out guilt. I knew as an owner it was a joy and a given. I would snuggle with him daily and now i feel guilty every time i have to get up from snuggling to do anything. Now it's out of guilt. Other thoughts are look you cant watch show you enjoyed like i used to watch a lot of animal planet enjoying it. I have intrusive thoughts of look at how caring other people are of there animal, etc you are just the lowest of low to do that. I try to tell myself there is worse things that people have done to animals. This does not sink in to play like a loop. Any thoughts or similar experiences?
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Default Nov 28, 2019 at 12:22 AM
  #8
It just maybe ruminations on thoughts over guilt with other things and the situations I am in with my buddy. I don't know could be ants, automatic negative thoughts. They play over and over. It makes want to sleep to not have to think.
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Default Nov 29, 2019 at 02:13 AM
  #9
I feel a sense of relief that others understand exactly what I'm going through and its not the only one. Any suggestion of how to over come this?
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Default Dec 03, 2019 at 02:14 PM
  #10
I can 100% relate to everything said on here. I haven't been diagnosed but I really think I do, and my Mom was diagnosed.

My intrusives come in two main varieties. The first is germs. This one I don't think is unreasonable, because I've endured custodial work for along time in a school district and a university. Kindergarten to grad school, those kids are NASTY!!! I deal with it by hand washing, sanitizers, gloves and masks, holding my breath when someone coughs or sneezes, and making sure to keep my skin moisturized to prevent cracks that could open it up to infections. I do feel panic when any of these actions have to be delayed, but for the most part I can live with this and don't think it's anything far out of the ordinary, or anything irrational.

The second type is what I haven't been able to deal with very well. Whenever I fail in anything (actual or perceived) or experience social rejection (actual or perceived), it starts a downward spiral of self-attack. I feel every old pain I've ever experienced as if it were happening again (I have a very vivid memory for sensations and emotions). My mind seems to act on its own repeating the thoughts that I'm worthless, selfish, stupid, weak, undeserving of friendship or love. I end up thinking that I don't have friends because other people are acting out of justified self-preservation in staying away from me. My self-esteem is fragile anyway, and can't withstand these assault. I try distractions, I try holding up a mental stop sign for these thoughts and then try to redirect the traffic, but this doesn't always work. Getting physical when I have these feelings usually works after a few days. Things that are physically empowering are usually emotionally empowering too. Nobody has to go all-out on cross fit or kickboxing; a brisk walk can be enough. Then I can come back to it with a fresh perspective and start challenging the thoughts with logic. That doesn't always work either, but sometimes it does.
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Default Dec 03, 2019 at 02:16 PM
  #11
Whoops, sorry. "A long", not "along."
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Default Dec 08, 2019 at 03:31 PM
  #12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serpentine Leaf View Post
I can 100% relate to everything said on here. I haven't been diagnosed but I really think I do, and my Mom was diagnosed.
My intrusives come in two main varieties. The first is germs. This one I don't think is unreasonable, because I've endured custodial work for along time in a school district and a university. Kindergarten to grad school, those kids are NASTY!!! I deal with it by hand washing, sanitizers, gloves and masks, holding my breath when someone coughs or sneezes, and making sure to keep my skin moisturized to prevent cracks that could open it up to infections. I do feel panic when any of these actions have to be delayed, but for the most part I can live with this and don't think it's anything far out of the ordinary, or anything irrational.
The second type is what I haven't been able to deal with very well. Whenever I fail in anything (actual or perceived) or experience social rejection (actual or perceived), it starts a downward spiral of self-attack. I feel every old pain I've ever experienced as if it were happening again (I have a very vivid memory for sensations and emotions). My mind seems to act on its own repeating the thoughts that I'm worthless, selfish, stupid, weak, undeserving of friendship or love. I end up thinking that I don't have friends because other people are acting out of justified self-preservation in staying away from me. My self-esteem is fragile anyway, and can't withstand these assault. I try distractions, I try holding up a mental stop sign for these thoughts and then try to redirect the traffic, but this doesn't always work. Getting physical when I have these feelings usually works after a few days. Things that are physically empowering are usually emotionally empowering too. Nobody has to go all-out on cross fit or kickboxing; a brisk walk can be enough. Then I can come back to it with a fresh perspective and start challenging the thoughts with logic. That doesn't always work either, but sometimes it does.


As I was sipping on hot chocolate I thought of a lot of things — a lot of things come to mind usually, they pester me, they thrill me; I can't make them go away. I've tried really hard to finish M. Kondo's The Magic of Tidying Up without stopping to write things down or ponder the many buzzing reminders and red flags swinging through my head.

I'm here now, typing this reply, content to see that there's someone in the same situation, who took the time to write something in this thread. I mean, I'm at the end of my rope — I've tried everything there's in the book and my therapist even bailed out on me. But alas, I'll leave that for another time.

I hold custodians and janitors in high regard since they have to deal with so much; I work as a teacher so I can understand what you must've gone through. I carry hand sanitizer and try to wear a surgical mask during the flu season even though I get the absolute stares. Plus, I avoid touching students at all times — I just hand in their papers without touching anything else. I try to go for binders and encourage them to use binders, though when they do complete assignments in notebooks I end up disinfecting their covers, which has led to some surprises, to say the least.

I'd pat you on the back on the one about the friends and self-esteem, I can totally understand what you mean — try to hang in there, do the things that cheer you and don't try to fit in. It's too hard-a-chore to begin with and it'll leave you feeling drained.

I recently started reading Schopenhauer and other similar philosophers to understand others' perspective on life and the social nature of man. So far, so good. My strategy at the moment is jotting everything down and keeping lists, crossing things off at the right moment and confirming my thoughts and beliefs by checking with others, more experienced, equally depressed folks.
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Default Dec 08, 2019 at 08:24 PM
  #13
Kudos to you on being a teacher even with such struggles. I don't think I'd be able to do it.

I long since let go of trying to alter myself to fit in, and compartmentalizing the various aspects of myself. I can't be anyone but me, and the whole me.

Philosophy is always a good way to help redirect intrusive thoughts and reshape perspective. Lists help me too, and being able to cross things off helps to settle a lot of anxiety and bring a sense of satisfaction. There is no shortage of threads on this site and joining this has helped me immensely in only a week. Best wishes to you!
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Default Dec 09, 2019 at 02:36 AM
  #14
Does anyone think about dealing with obsessions like its the wack-a-mole game. You no sooner knock one down with a compulsion than a new one pops up. I tried to stop taking the extra Seroquel because I thought I was past the episode, but it started up again. At first I was obsessing about passages in my book. Beating myself up because I didn't write the passages well enough. Then I started obsessing about all the terrible things that could happen because the passages weren't worded right. I read the book 20 times. Each time the fear about the passages got worse. Finally my psychiatrist told me to give the book to someone and he prescribed Seroquel. Now I'm obsessing about a scene in a movie I saw today. I'm back on Seroquel. I hope I can think about something else besides this movie scene when I go to bed.
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Default Dec 10, 2019 at 10:17 PM
  #15
I would like someone to set me straight I feel i cant with the thoughts that I feel about my companion dog. I already feel so guilty for things about the situation I have put myself and him. My emotional thoughts bother me about all this guilt. I already feel bad for leaving him to go to work. Then these thoughts like i have screwed up my life as well he is part of it. I have other thoughts I am going to do other things in my head, because I am not happy the way things are in my life. I oversleep and this makes it so he has to wait to go potty. Which also makes me feel guilty. I also have thoughts that I am trying to distance myself in ways. I hate having these thoughts. Please console me
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Trig Dec 12, 2019 at 10:33 AM
  #16
Most of the time thoughts of me
Possible trigger:
Ugh I hate them so much 🤬😭 I wish I never had them

Last edited by bluekoi; Dec 12, 2019 at 08:54 PM.. Reason: Add trigger code.
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Lightbulb Dec 16, 2019 at 11:58 PM
  #17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serpentine Leaf View Post
I can 100% relate to everything said on here. I haven't been diagnosed but I really think I do, and my Mom was diagnosed.

My intrusives come in two main varieties. The first is germs. This one I don't think is unreasonable, because I've endured custodial work for along time in a school district and a university. Kindergarten to grad school, those kids are NASTY!!! I deal with it by hand washing, sanitizers, gloves and masks, holding my breath when someone coughs or sneezes, and making sure to keep my skin moisturized to prevent cracks that could open it up to infections. I do feel panic when any of these actions have to be delayed, but for the most part I can live with this and don't think it's anything far out of the ordinary, or anything irrational.

The second type is what I haven't been able to deal with very well. Whenever I fail in anything (actual or perceived) or experience social rejection (actual or perceived), it starts a downward spiral of self-attack. I feel every old pain I've ever experienced as if it were happening again (I have a very vivid memory for sensations and emotions). My mind seems to act on its own repeating the thoughts that I'm worthless, selfish, stupid, weak, undeserving of friendship or love. I end up thinking that I don't have friends because other people are acting out of justified self-preservation in staying away from me. My self-esteem is fragile anyway, and can't withstand these assault. I try distractions, I try holding up a mental stop sign for these thoughts and then try to redirect the traffic, but this doesn't always work. Getting physical when I have these feelings usually works after a few days. Things that are physically empowering are usually emotionally empowering too. Nobody has to go all-out on cross fit or kickboxing; a brisk walk can be enough. Then I can come back to it with a fresh perspective and start challenging the thoughts with logic. That doesn't always work either, but sometimes it does.
Good to hear you are finding coping mechanisms. Maybe therapist can help with self esteem?
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Default Dec 17, 2019 at 12:05 AM
  #18
I'm sorrybi am in the same I have made some major failure in the last year that have totally destroyed good about myself. I have never felt so awful about myself. Not able to move on. I tried to do myself in and it has been he'll since with guilt and regret.
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Default Dec 17, 2019 at 10:06 AM
  #19
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Originally Posted by WantPeaceofMind View Post
Good to hear you are finding coping mechanisms. Maybe therapist can help with self esteem?

Thank you for your reply, WantPeaceOfMind. (And that is a wonderful screen name!) I have been working on the self-esteem issues since my original post. The self-compassion exercises I found a link to through this site have done wonders for me. My self-esteem was so bad because of the way I was treating myself, and that in turn was sabotaging all my efforts at becoming well. All the other problems I've endured for most of my life have finally become manageable, and I've found healing. Here is the link for anyone else struggling with the same problems:
Self-Compassion

I sincerely hope that others can find healing too.
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Default Dec 17, 2019 at 10:12 AM
  #20
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Originally Posted by WantPeaceofMind View Post
I'm sorrybi am in the same I have made some major failure in the last year that have totally destroyed good about myself. I have never felt so awful about myself. Not able to move on. I tried to do myself in and it has been he'll since with guilt and regret.

The self-compassion link in my other reply may be very helpful to you. I'm so sorry you're having these struggles. You might be in the same place I was, shell-shocked by your own automatic habit of vicious self-attack. Sometimes we're trained to think that way from a rough upbringing. Taking the first steps is the hardest part, but sometimes the risks of remaining stuck are far more scary than the risks of stepping away from all that we know.

I wish you peace and wellness. You deserve to have them.
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