Post by misty on Jan 6, 2007 11:31:29 GMT -5
countrygirl.............Thread Started on Jun 19, 2006, 8:00am
Again don't know exactly where this fits the best
Had a really bad day yesterday. Those who know me know this is a pattern at any holiday and/or family get together. Yesterday was different. I was having those "bad" thoughts again. The disturbing ones that I sometimes can't get out of my head. I wanted to bang my head to get them out. It was so upsetting. A friend talked me through it. Seems she has the same kind of horrible thoughts. She reminded me they were not real. But the more I tried to stop thinking them and think something else, the more horrible they got, graphic and disturbing. I'm a little creative and picture things easily in my head which may make these worse. I don't know. I battled with this most of the day. Was better last night but woke up feeling shakey and depressed.
Any suggestions how I can stop these obsessive thoughts. How to change them once they start?
Kare.............Reply #1 on Jun 21, 2006, 10:27pm
Well dear i know how hard it can be.
But the answer of your question is in your question. re-read your last sentence.
Stop thinking about how to stop these thoguhts.
Just don't think goin front of the tv and watch a stupid show, or anything you want to let your mind fly away and stop thinking.
that's what i do. because you must not think but occupy yourself with CONCRETS ACTS, NOT THOUGTS. because this is the definition of absession.
at least that work for me.. of course not for a long time, and it depends were these thoughts come from.
because if it is panic attack or anguish crisis, i try the breathe exercises.
after all if it does not work, i take a med and go to bed.
lol.
countrygirl...............Reply #2 on Jun 23, 2006, 12:26am
Stop thinking. That is the best idea I've heard in days. I am so extremely tired emotionally right now. the last 5 or 6 days have been difficult. Mixed episodes with some major anxiety. If I try to stop thinking and just lay down, the awful images are still there, but doing something. I noticed I was good while I was tutoring a child in reading. The rote drills were very calming to me. They were familiar and something I felt I had control over. My dd made a schedule for me which has helped me remember to take my meds. I forgot 3 times this past week. Think that may have something to do with the difficulty I'm experiencing. It seem's kinda silly, but it works for me - It is like a "first" , "then" chart that you might use with a person with autism. First morning meds, then computer. Ahhh, so simple, don't turn the computer on until AFTER meds are taken. It has a list of things that I have to do which is very short and limited which reminds me to eat and shower even, and a list of chores that I can choose any 3 to do. (3 is a magic # for me) Then there is a list of things I enjoy doing. (At least when I'm not depressed) Geez, I am rambling.... My thoughts feel like a pin ball. Maybe I am the pinball wizard in Tommy. The Who. Oh, yeah, I'm rambling. Maybe should stop now while I'm ahead. That's a funny picture. I am a Head. Yes, with pinballs bouncing - I believe it is time for me to shut up and log off.
pdoc added Lexapro to my evergrowing list of head meds to help with the anxiety. Anxiety was out of control. One thing about it is since I started it Monday, I have been sleeping better and longer - at least 7 hours. I should be back to the "old" countrygirl in another week or so. Already feeling better.
Concrete acts is a good idea, Kare. Tdoc told me that when I have the "picture" thoughts that word thoughts won't work. I have to visualize another picture. Her example was a stop sign. I visualize butterflies or a warrior princess. Both work for me depending on the type of picture I am seeing in my head. When I have the really morbid ones, I picture the warrior princess (my alter ego) to battle the thoughts. The butterfly reminds me that I am loved. It is a gentle picture and calming.
I guess in a nutshell it is - fight word thoughts with words and picture thoughts with pictures.
Hormones definitely don't help. All my symptoms worsened in my late 40's. I can remember having bipolar symptoms both depressions and manias when I was a teenager. I never recognised manias as manias and neither did my parents. they just knew I was out of control. I have had sever anxiety forever. I can remember anxiety attacks from the time I was 3 or 4 years old. Now I wonder how many of my asthma attacks were really anxiety.
I am better. Even my hand tremors have stopped from ODing last Tuesday (accidently I double dosed - seems 600mg of Wellbutrin has some nasty side effects)
I'm learning more about this disorder everyday. I'm very typical, don't know how I missed it for so long. Don't think I really did. Somewhere inside I knew, just was in denial.
I appreciate everyone's support so incredibly much, you just don't know.
Again don't know exactly where this fits the best
Had a really bad day yesterday. Those who know me know this is a pattern at any holiday and/or family get together. Yesterday was different. I was having those "bad" thoughts again. The disturbing ones that I sometimes can't get out of my head. I wanted to bang my head to get them out. It was so upsetting. A friend talked me through it. Seems she has the same kind of horrible thoughts. She reminded me they were not real. But the more I tried to stop thinking them and think something else, the more horrible they got, graphic and disturbing. I'm a little creative and picture things easily in my head which may make these worse. I don't know. I battled with this most of the day. Was better last night but woke up feeling shakey and depressed.
Any suggestions how I can stop these obsessive thoughts. How to change them once they start?
Kare.............Reply #1 on Jun 21, 2006, 10:27pm
Well dear i know how hard it can be.
But the answer of your question is in your question. re-read your last sentence.
Stop thinking about how to stop these thoguhts.
Just don't think goin front of the tv and watch a stupid show, or anything you want to let your mind fly away and stop thinking.
that's what i do. because you must not think but occupy yourself with CONCRETS ACTS, NOT THOUGTS. because this is the definition of absession.
at least that work for me.. of course not for a long time, and it depends were these thoughts come from.
because if it is panic attack or anguish crisis, i try the breathe exercises.
after all if it does not work, i take a med and go to bed.
lol.
countrygirl...............Reply #2 on Jun 23, 2006, 12:26am
Stop thinking. That is the best idea I've heard in days. I am so extremely tired emotionally right now. the last 5 or 6 days have been difficult. Mixed episodes with some major anxiety. If I try to stop thinking and just lay down, the awful images are still there, but doing something. I noticed I was good while I was tutoring a child in reading. The rote drills were very calming to me. They were familiar and something I felt I had control over. My dd made a schedule for me which has helped me remember to take my meds. I forgot 3 times this past week. Think that may have something to do with the difficulty I'm experiencing. It seem's kinda silly, but it works for me - It is like a "first" , "then" chart that you might use with a person with autism. First morning meds, then computer. Ahhh, so simple, don't turn the computer on until AFTER meds are taken. It has a list of things that I have to do which is very short and limited which reminds me to eat and shower even, and a list of chores that I can choose any 3 to do. (3 is a magic # for me) Then there is a list of things I enjoy doing. (At least when I'm not depressed) Geez, I am rambling.... My thoughts feel like a pin ball. Maybe I am the pinball wizard in Tommy. The Who. Oh, yeah, I'm rambling. Maybe should stop now while I'm ahead. That's a funny picture. I am a Head. Yes, with pinballs bouncing - I believe it is time for me to shut up and log off.
pdoc added Lexapro to my evergrowing list of head meds to help with the anxiety. Anxiety was out of control. One thing about it is since I started it Monday, I have been sleeping better and longer - at least 7 hours. I should be back to the "old" countrygirl in another week or so. Already feeling better.
Concrete acts is a good idea, Kare. Tdoc told me that when I have the "picture" thoughts that word thoughts won't work. I have to visualize another picture. Her example was a stop sign. I visualize butterflies or a warrior princess. Both work for me depending on the type of picture I am seeing in my head. When I have the really morbid ones, I picture the warrior princess (my alter ego) to battle the thoughts. The butterfly reminds me that I am loved. It is a gentle picture and calming.
I guess in a nutshell it is - fight word thoughts with words and picture thoughts with pictures.
Hormones definitely don't help. All my symptoms worsened in my late 40's. I can remember having bipolar symptoms both depressions and manias when I was a teenager. I never recognised manias as manias and neither did my parents. they just knew I was out of control. I have had sever anxiety forever. I can remember anxiety attacks from the time I was 3 or 4 years old. Now I wonder how many of my asthma attacks were really anxiety.
I am better. Even my hand tremors have stopped from ODing last Tuesday (accidently I double dosed - seems 600mg of Wellbutrin has some nasty side effects)
I'm learning more about this disorder everyday. I'm very typical, don't know how I missed it for so long. Don't think I really did. Somewhere inside I knew, just was in denial.
I appreciate everyone's support so incredibly much, you just don't know.
