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Discussion Topic: Obscessive Thoughts
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 irishinamerica |
01-28-2004 @ 12:16 AM |
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Member
Joined: Jan. 2004
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Hi everyone, I'm new to the group but unfortunately am no stranger to anxiety and its manifestations. I suffered bad panic attacks seven years ago for 3 months. My doctor put me on Paxil which I have been on for seven years and I haven't had a full blown panic attack since. However I still suffer from periodic anxiety and have irrational obsessive worries. So guys and gals I know how you all feel. For me I have a hard time worrying about real life concerns because when they arise i tend to retreat into myself and obsessively worry about things that are 90 per cent likely never to happen. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I guess you could say I substitute real fears with imagined fears.
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| Susanne, Support Specialist |
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01-28-2004 @ 9:07 AM |
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Moderator
Joined: Nov. 2003
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Hello irishinamerica,
On behalf of the Panic Center, welcome to the site. Be sure to look over the tools on the left of your screen, and make use of the support group. It is great to hear you're doing well, you will be able to pass some much needed advice on to others.
Take care,
Susanne
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| pamela |
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01-28-2004 @ 1:24 PM |
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Joined: Jan. 2004
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irishinamerica, I totally do the same thing, whenever things get stressful instead of dealing with the issue at hand I begin to think I have cancer or am going to have a heart attack. My therapist told me I replace real life issues with irrational ones. she's helping me to not do that anymore and I've also been doing alot of reading on the subject and am on my way to total recovery. I read something last night that really put things into perspective for me. It said if you are filled with worry and fear that means you are either focused to much on what's happened in the past or what's going to happen in the future. The past can't be changed and no one knows what the future will hold. The worry and fear will not affect the outcome of either so why do it? Live in the day and when problems arise deal with each one head on and if no problems arise then be happy and stop worrying about the what ifs. I know at times that is easier said then done, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try and over time this is supposed to help our brains to turn off the automatic emergency response and replace it with a calming response.
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| abby
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02-10-2004 @ 1:28 AM |
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Joined: Feb. 2004
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i've had a lot of obessive thoughts over my nine years with
GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). they all started when i
was eight, after my mum died. first there was the fear of
getting my period--someone had told me about it the year
before and mentioned a lot of blood and pain--then the fear
of vomiting, which lead to a later fear of food, and around the
same time the fear of being raped by my dad (who has been
nothing but a supportive and loving father, i should note).
these days, with the help of medication, the thoughts are less
and less. they'd been getting better steadily over the years as
i battled them but 'relapsed'--if you will--a few summers ago
so i took the meds route. sometimes, though, if i go off the
meds for a while by accident, some of the fears come back.
for instance, i couldn't get a refill the other day so i was off for
a bit and began thinking again that someone (not anyone
specific) had molested me when i was little....
sorry to yak on and on. i... i'm new at talking about this except
with my doctor, so bear with me.
best to all,
abby
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| Scared |
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04-06-2004 @ 5:11 PM |
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Joined: Apr. 2004
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It's strange for me to read everyones posts and realize that I am not alone.
I continually think about dying. This "thought" is beginning to control me. When my husband goes off to work or is out alone i think real horrible thoughts. i fear that something bad is going to happen.
It is so bad now that I have a hard time watching TV especially the news. There is so much talk of death and dying in the media that I try not to subject myself to it.
I hate the horrible thoughts I have and can really understand what all of you are going through. It's insane!!!
Lisa
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| Josie, Support Specialist |
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04-06-2004 @ 6:22 PM |
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Moderator
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Dear Lisa,
We all go through many different feelings, however,it is important to tell your Doctor about the feelings your having. They may be able to make sense of it for you and with you.
You are not alone, it is a good idea to use all the resources that are at hand.
Keep the faith,
Josie
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| chimpmaster |
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04-29-2004 @ 8:25 AM |
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Joined: Apr. 2004
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Well the way it was explained to me by my psychologist is a little
different.
Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts. Basically these are a
malfunction of the brain, and in people with strong values they might
often be about the worst fear. For example, someone who hates
violence and is a pacifist may well have intrusive thoughts about
violent images or actions.
The trick is to not pay too much attention to these thoughts, to let
them pass, understanding that they are just a brain malfunction or
hiccup.
Obsessive people tend to be bothered by these thoughts, and either
repeatedly think about them, try and fight them or contest them etc.
This sometimes ends up in the performance of compulsive behaviours
in order to forget about the thought. Once these behaviours or
obsessive thought patterns become highly repetitive they can start
impacting the quality of life of the person, and this is when obessive
thinking becomes Obessessive Comulsive Disorder.
Hope this info helps explain how it works.
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| Lisa |
04-29-2004 @ 10:26 AM |
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Member
Joined: Apr. 2004
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Thank you Chimpmaster for your insight.
I never really thought of this as OCD, but now that you have mentioned it, it makes sense.
My thinking is worse when I am not busy. This is why I try to keep moving and doing. People are always telling me to slow down and relax. When I try to relax my mind just WHIPS! I hate it! I try hard to think of positive things but sometimes life gets the better of me.
I figure my age plays a big part. I am 35 and I know that each day brings me closer to old age. This really scares me for some reason??? People say i look like I'm still a teenager to the point that I was asked for ID a few months ago. I thought that was great! But, this dosen't help me with the fact that I'm getting older and I will someday die.
You hear of so much death and illness now a days, and it's hard to think differently when it is all around you. I feel that this is a very morbid way to think for anyone. I guess It is another phobia I must deal with.
My life has been one struggle after another and I believe that when someone is happy in thier life this kind of thinking dosen't enter thier mind. You have been very helpful and kind in you response. I know that It is up to me to change within myself, and I'm working on it real hard.
You speak of your psycologist explaining things to you. I think that it is graet you found someone you can speak with. I had a psychiatrist for many years. He was a great, great man but has retired. I often think of him when I'm in a situation and say to myself, "What would Dr Schofield say to me." He diagnosed me with Panic Disorder and Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. I would love to find another Doctor but, I have this thing of comparing everyone to Dr. Schofield, they never measure up!
Anyway, sorry for the babble. Having a good Doctor while struggling with PD or any other mind illness is beneficial for all of us. The problem is.....finding that special someone like I did.
Take good care Chimpmaster,
Lisa
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| mel |
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04-29-2004 @ 12:49 PM |
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Joined: Jan. 2004
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Your not alone! I too have GAD and have currently been having obsessive thoughts. Mine are usually not about hurting someone etc...mine are fearful thoughts. I see all sorts of crazy things playing out in my head in just about every situation imaginable and they linger there all of the time. Everytime I see/hear of something happening to someone it will happen to me next...you know that feeling? I'm hanging by a thread as far as driving. I'm getting where I fear a wreck everytime I get in a car. I fear tornados when they say a storm is coming and start to get all bent out of shape. I stare at the weather channel for hours hoping it will change...see, crazy obsessions!!!I have alot of stressors in my life right now. When I get through these major life changes which are causing so much stress to me maybe the obsessions will subside and I can focus on trying to eliminate the anxiety or at least learn to cope. Psych says the obsessions are usually a result of extreme anxiety. I am on Buspar/Klonopin right now. Too early to tell results. Keep us posted.
Mel
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| chimpmaster |
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04-29-2004 @ 8:43 PM |
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Joined: Apr. 2004
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Guys, just remember that its not the thoughts themselves are the
problem. As I said, EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE gets intrusive
thoughts.
Its the way you react to them that is the problem. If you let them
bother you, and react by either obsessively thinking about them or by
perform actions to get them out of your mind (especially repeated
actions), you are potentially forming obsessive comulsive behaviours.
The trick is to understand the thoughts for what they are, and to not
let them upset or bother you. If you can do this, you should be fine.
Of course it is much easier said than done, otherwise no-body would
have OCD...
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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: Obscessive Thoughts
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