Intrusive Thoughts?

[HeyItsThatKidd]

How does one deal/cope with intrusive thoughts?

[ksquig]

I use three different techniques.

1. Acceptance. It’s okay to have thoughts both pleasurable and distressing.

2. Telling myself the thoughts are unproductive. I literally tell myself stop, that thought is an unproductive thought.

3. I work on making myself recall and enjoy pleasurable experiences I’ve had. My default is to think about depressing/anxiety-provoking thoughts. So I try hard to think about and recall positive things. Like my kids playing in the snow or a pretty flower I saw.

Training your brain to think differently takes work, but can be very helpful. Good luck!

[HeyItsThatKidd in reply to ksquig]

I will try it but these thoughts are just so terrifying

[ksquig in reply to HeyItsThatKidd]

Have you talked with a therapist? Or, considered going on medication?

[HeyItsThatKidd in reply to ksquig]

I've met with multiple therapist and have asked about medication yet, I keep getting referred elsewhere

[ksquig in reply to HeyItsThatKidd]

That’s so frustrating! Do you know why you keep getting referred to others? It is because of an insurance thing? Sometimes I want to shake the medical community . . . so much red tape when people are in anguish!

[HeyItsThatKidd in reply to ksquig]

I'm not sure....Doesn't seem like many people have authorization for meds

[sajax]

Me all the time and I hate it

[HeyItsThatKidd in reply to sajax]

It's horrible....and it's always making me worry about my life

[Jmerrick22]

I feel like I met my twin. Lol literally. I get the same usually I think I’m dying or there’s something wrong or I get paranoid and the what if’s start. But try and stay as occupied as possible and use your hands do stuff like maybe building something or painting etc. it keeps you occupied. Anytime you wanna talk or need someone I’m here !

[HeyItsThatKidd in reply to Jmerrick22]

Have you read my previous posts? not the ones about health anxiety but the more recent ones....it's just wearing me down

[HeyItsThatKidd]

Anyone else who comments, Do you believe the OCD community would also be of help? I've posted there before to no avail.

[sajax]

I’m on meds and with the last change some ruminating got better but then came back again. I worry about work nonstop with the end being getting fired. It’s not rational but it feels very real