Intrusive thoughts

[NYlover]

Hi there, it's been a minute.

I've been dealing with intrusive thoughts for many years (probably my whole life even though I couldn't recognize them when I was a child). There is a strong relationship between those and my anxiety level. Every time I am under a lot of stress for personal or professional reasons (which, let's face it, are personal too), my anxiety skyrockets and that is when intrusive thoughts arrive. And they condition my life to the point that I cannot sleep, I cannot focus, I cannot keep a normal conversation or distract myself with anything without keeping them coming. It's frustrating and isolating. Thankfully it is not always like this. But when it happens, it's uncomfortable and the only thing I want is to make it stop. But the more obsessed I become to stop them, the more they keep coming. I have tried meditation and sometimes it works, but these last couple of weeks it hasn't. And I have realized that escaping them isn't working either. It's not pretty but alcohol and sex usually are a way to do so. Please, tell me I am not the only one going through this.

[Dolphin14]

NYlover

I'm sorry you are struggling in this vicious cycle. Things accumulate and just snowball.

Are you in therapy? It sounds like you need assistance with processing all this and learning healthy coping skills to get through these situations.

You most definitely are not alone in feeling this way

🐬

[NYlover in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you for your kind words, Dolphin14 I am in therapy, yes. And it helps a lot.

[Dolphin14 in reply to NYlover]

I'm glad therapy is helping you.

[Javagirl32]

Hello! You are not alone! Intrusive thoughts are scary and at times, disabling. When stress and anxiety increase so do these - and then it's a vicious cycle.

Have you considered therapy and a psychiatrist consult? Built into some new coping patterns and medication support

You're not alone- remember that !

[NYlover in reply to Javagirl32]

Thank you Javagirl32, I really appreciate your empathy. I do therapy and take medication... But I gotta go beyond that since it doesn't seem to be enough to stop the vicious cycle. However, I had my session today and talking about it has helped a lot.

[Weatherwoman]

I have had & have intrusive thoughts for more years then I care to say. They raise their Ugly heads from time to time & when they do, as you stated, can't get them out of my head! I didn't get any proper help for this (intrusive thots.) until I was in my late fifties, and diag. with OCD! I have found that Exposure Therapy (Facing the thots., fears, etc.) & medication (am on low doses now), CBT (Cognitive Behavorial Therapy, talking it out as you mentioned, are all helpful. Also, there are Many books on OCD intrusive thoughts (Can look up various OCD organizations. I don't know if you have OCD, or not as other Anxiety States can cause intrusive thots. Anyway, you are Definitely NOT alone!

[NYlover in reply to Weatherwoman]

Dear Weatherwomen, thank you so much for your honesty and kindness. Yes, I do have OCD, I take medication, and I follow a CB therapy. Also, I try to sleep at least 8h and exercice regularly. Yoga helps too.

[Weatherwoman in reply to NYlover]

Yes, Sleep is SO important --I keep saying I need to go to bed earlier!!! Yoga, eating well, drinking enough water, & plain taking care of body & mind All helpful. Can't separate mind, body, spirit!

[Pastafox]

Hi NYlover you most certainly not alone am hoping to start therapy soon I can't be around ppl disclosing face to face so am hoping I can do 121 it only takes 1 wrong comment 1 wrong look and am boiling inside your doing OK keep going stay strong...