What are the best ways to stop disturbing thoughs?

[TrippyMcGuire762]

This is a follow up to my last post. As I mentioned, since I had a nightmare that I hurt people I cared about (after watching the news detaling what went down in texas). Since that, I have began fearing I might hurt someone I care about and wondering what would happen. For me, that thought scares me, as I am a pacifist, and have never been violent before. My counselor gave me stuff to try, but I was wondering if anyone had anything they recommend. I don't want to tell my folks as I fear they would think I'm crazy. If you have anything, it would be appreciated.

[Usagold]

Listen dear, dreams can be bizarre. This is embarrassing, but since you brought up abusive dreams, I dreamed I hit my stepmother, rolled her up into a ball and was dribbling it. Yours might be more realistic, but here's what you do... Laugh about it and don't give them any attention whatsoever. They will keep coming as long as you fear them or worry about them. That's what most people do, only anxious minds worry about these things, so, become more like them and just move on. Your crazy dreams don't mean anything. I sure hope mine don't!

[TrippyMcGuire762 in reply to Usagold]

I wish mine was unrealistic, but sadly they are very realistic. I know they're just dreams, but its starting to affect my daily life in the ways I mentioned. I don't know if its because I've been under extra stress, or that I'm trying to block them out that that its gotten worse, but it has been. This has been something I've only been dealing with for five months, so things are still new to me.

[Usagold in reply to TrippyMcGuire762]

Good morning Trippy! The key is to not care less. Try to go on living like normal on spite of your anxiety and bad dreams. If you can do that, I guarantee you you won't be having them a year from now. They are based on fear and fear is what they need to stay alive. Your brain has formed neural networks and keeps firing on the same pathways, but it is possible to deliberately change the pathways by relegating them to the insignificant folder and by building new pathways by only positive upbeat thinking when you are awake. Your brain is just trying to protect you. A good book to understand this is Switch on Your Brain, but it's pretty scientific & is Christian based. I have it on audio and love it! I hope you have a good day! AND night!!!