intrusive thoughts

[Casey-Lee]

has anyone else experienced thoughts that others can read our minds? I can’t stop thinking about it and believing it, can someone who’s been through this please tell me it’s not real and I will see that for myself soon - I’m running out of hope

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello Casey-Lee,

recovery is very unique? Suffering from PPP is very traumatising and it can take a while to implement coping mechanisms, especially to deal with triggers and overcoming anxiety and fear. What appears to be a common event for individuals, could have a huge impact for mums, who have been diagnosed with MH issues.

Yes, both ways with regards to your question. When I was acutely ill I thought I had super natural gifts and was paranoid, but this is the effect of hallucination, probably stage one of covering your topic. That was shown in my behaviour, I felt continuously threatened and full of fear. I thought I could read peoples' mind, but also was continuously on edge as I thought spies were all around me. I was in ongoing survival mood. Might you this hospital where I was sectioned was unreasonable on many levels, and I was lucky to finally being saved by my partner...

OK how can I gain reassurance between reality and fiction

- I continued to be poorly, because of loosing my dad after PPP and my mum in law. The events pushed me right back in my recovery and I was hearing bells for 1 year...when poorly I always communicated with my partner and just asked him "Are the bells ringing"...I trusted him and thus have had inner reassurance

- I have been continuously seing things, when not well and I transferred everything into creativity...I painted many hours for many years at night...

- Just to inform you that the reason for my suffering was undiagnosed bipolar for another 8 yrs after PPP... I worked on many techniques in order to gain a substantiated tool kit...

- I manage my triggers with meditation, yoga, painting, gardening, learning and lots more. This helps me to focus on the task at hand

- Your healing process depends on your needs, one has to learn to tune into body and understand self reflection. Give yourself time and space, but also have a support network of people around you. The once who love you, and you can trust.

- I still can not cope with crowds or new places, but I am in acceptance of my own pace without being pushed by individuals or societal pressures.

- It is absolutely fine to ask for professional help, some therapeutic avenue, which is suitable for you and your circumstances.

- You are special and unique and will be able to use lived experiences for a positive cause.

Big hug,

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Casey-Lee,

I am sorry to read that you are feeling distressed about these thoughts you are having, as Pikorua said above, recovery from pp can take some time as we learn and develop our coping techniques. It does get much better, pp is really recoverable.

Intrusive thoughts are actually quite common and I can relate to what you mention. When I was early days in my recovery I went in the public transport at one point and believed that everyone in the carriage knew everything about me and that I was the topic of their conversations.

A technique I learned at CBT that helped me with intrusive thoughts was to frame them like: "I am having a thought that ....". It was a simple rewording of the same thought I was having before but then all of a sudden it did not felt as such a fact, but rather more like an opinion, and that made it much less powerful and overwhelming. It took out a lot of the urge to act on the thought and I was able to let go of it.

You are doing so well for reaching out here, be frank and upfront with your medical team and let them know how you are doing at the moment, they should be able to help you manage your symptoms and discuss your concerns.

Take care, keep writing here to let us know how you are getting on

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Casey-Lee,

I’m sorry you’re struggling with these thoughts – I hope the replies here are helping to reassure you that things will get better.

I’ve not experienced intrusive thoughts in the way I know many people do, though I did have a lot of paranoia and anxiety when recovering from PP. As others have said, hopefully you can learn some techniques that will work for you to help you through these difficult times.

I wanted to share a few links that may be helpful, the videos in particular if the text is too much to take in right now.

- ‘Understanding intrusive thoughts’ - CBT therapist Katie d'Ath explains the issues behind trying not to have certain thoughts: youtube.com/watch?v=_Wss6W1...(Not working as expected?)

- Every Mind Matters ‘Reframe Unhelpful Thoughts’: youtube.com/watch?v=tfkhkFw...(Not working as expected?)

- Healthline: 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts: healthline.com/health/groun...

Have you been offered any kind of therapy to help at all? Are you in regular contact with your healthcare team? Do keep talking to them and sharing as openly as you can so they can offer appropriate support. And keep talking to us here too 😊 You absolutely can come through this.

Take good care, sending you very best wishes,

Jenny

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Casey-Lee,

I do hope you've been doing ok since you last wrote. I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you, do write here whenever it helps.

Best wishes,

Jenny