Gotta dumb question

[Jrick34]

They say you shouldn't seek reassurance because it doesn't last. But what if you feel hopeless? What if your intrusive thoughts are running rampant? I've been fighting it for months and that's not to take away from anyone that's been dealing with it longer. This might be the stupidest question but I just want to know that I'm really not alone and that I can win this battle.

[LiveandLetLive42]

You are 100% not alone. I can promise you that. So many of us suffer this battle. But, we have to find ways to cope. And it seems endless but when you find these ways to cope, it definitely helps. X

[Jrick34 in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

Thank you, I know it'll pass but it just really hurts right now.

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Jrick34]

I'm so sorry You can talk to me. What are you feeling?

[Jrick34 in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

I started having harm intrusive thoughts about 4 months ago and it was terrifying. Even though it doesn't hit as hard, everything reminds me of it; my home, bed, office. I just feel unworthy for having such thoughts. Id fight tooth and nail before I even got close to doing those horrible thoughts but they take a toll. Iam sorry, that my be a lot

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Jrick34]

Well, first off, I am glad you are not doing it! It's hard to have these thoughts and not know what to do with them. Have you tried meditation? I find that it calms my mind. Of course my meds help too lol.

[Slowlybreaking]

I know exactly how you feel. I still feel that way all the time especially lately. I know things seem like they will never get better but they will if you want them to. I don't have alot of room to talk because these past few days have been the worst for me in a long time but I decided to change my life and the way I live it and I feel good about it. Its a day by day thing but I think it's worth giving it a try.

[Jrick34 in reply to Slowlybreaking]

Thank you and I will do the same, just hurts right now. Sometimes you just feel alone.

[Slowlybreaking in reply to Jrick34]

Trust me I know all about feeling alone so just know that you are definitely not the only one feeling that way. And you are for surely not alone!

[MsAlice]

Hi Jrick34,Of course you should seek reassurance! The excitement of your favorite team winning a football game does not last forever. But it sure helps to balance out the negative moments.

I too, struggle with intrusive thoughts. I know there are different categories, or types of intrusive thoughts. I have no idea if my intrusive thoughts are similar to what others are experiencing. Mine are often safety/tragedy related or they are a critical voice in my head making me feel insecure and fearful of outcomes.

One thing that has helped a little bit is to check my thoughts against reality by sharing with a trusted friend. My friend acknowledge that my fear is legit. But he also challenged me to consider:

"How likely is it the negative outcome you fear will actually happen?"

"Can you survive the worse case scenario?"

and most importantly, "Is it happening right now?"

Again, this worked for the type of intrusive thoughts I was having.

Perhaps there is a nugget of usefulness in what I have shared. No one deserves to feel hopeless.

Cheers,

Alice

[jb042711]

I'm so sorry that you're fighting this battle. I know exactly how you

feel. I still fight with anxiety. I know it's not a fun battle to

fight. For me, getting counseling and therapy, and also being a

Christian, and having God to turn to, really helps. Have you thought

about counseling or therapy? Do you have a faith that you can turn to?

You said that you were dealing with intrusive thoughts. There's

something out there called cognitive behavioral therapy. My first

counselor introduced me to it, and I've found it useful. What you do

is take an intrusive thought, or really any negative thought, and you

change that thought into a positive one. I'm not sure if I'm

explaining it very well. If you want more information, please don't be

afraid to reach out.

[DodgeDhanda]

No such thing as a dumb question here JRick34 as we were all at the several months stage at one time or another & we have all had our minds betray us at times & importantly remember this always that dark thoughts are just that dark thoughts & should NEVER be looked as any sort of answer as no answers are ever in the dark. I feel that you have a lot of the tools to fight a good fight to help urself become a better self & it is a long road & there will be setbacks but those setbacks are there to remind you to get up & fight harder.

Understand what makes you think or feel the way you do & look inward & let go of any blame or hate you may have toward urself & learn to find the things in life that make you happy within the law of course lol. Not gonna lie & say oh in X amount of time u will be free from it as I'm not & I work on my mental wellbeing every morning I wake up to start my day in a good way & love me for me as I believe if I don't love me who else will? It's a tough journey but it's worth it, well I think it is.

Good Luck & in this group u will find ur never alone as we can all connect to why we sometimes feel the way we all do.

[Rafiki11]

Wow. It sounds like you are a strong, brave person fighting a difficult battle.

Have you talked to your doctor?

I would like to encourage you to consider that your needs are valid and your pain is real. Your pain doesn’t take away from someone’s pain that is worse than yours.

I actually find wisdom in your questions, not stupidity. You are working hard. Because you are human, you need to feel empathy and a sense of belonging.

[mschloe]

Cognitive behavioral therapy will teach you how to challenge those thoughts & change them from negative to positive thoughts. You could go to the library & most likely find a book about it.