It’s been a rough few months since I’ve posted- but essentially my anxiety is morphing from health related issues to non-health ones. Currently- my main fear comes from going on Quora and reading stories about jail and how people were framed. Right now I’m terrified that I’m going to be framed for a serious crime, and that I’ll go to jail and be killed or face the death penalty (I know). I just want to live a normal life and so far my intrusive thoughts are only getting worse. Anyone experience something similar?
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Ksmithfield
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13 Replies
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I am sorry that you are going through a difficult time.
When you get those thoughts, sit with the anxiety, in a room, by focusing on it.
The anxiety will be high in the beginning, but it will get lower.
Try to accept the thoughts.
We are not accepting the content of the thoughts.
Label the thought as OCD, and put it in an OCD box.
The OCD box represents that the thought is over and put away.
I know it is not easy, but try your best.
I am struggling with these techniques with my symptoms.
First off- thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your advice with me! I’ve never tried this technique- and I’m definitely going to use it- I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling as well! Thank you so much for your response- it is greatly appreciated!
I don't have this specific fear, but I think you could benefit by looking at it like any other OCD fear. Don't try to convince yourself that your feared scenario couldn't possibly happen, because it could. You will drive yourself crazy trying to force yourself to believe otherwise. BUT there's such a low chance of it happening that it doesn't warrant your attention, unless you also want to worry about being hit by a falling piece of the International Space Station or alligators crawling up through your plumbing. There are some things that are so far-fetched and out of your control that thinking about them is a total waste of time.
In your rational moments, you should recognize that these fears are unproductive. Then when you find yourself ruminating and fearing them, recognize that you are just getting a false signal from your amygdala, the "fight-or-flight" part of your brain that is malfunctioning. Its warning signals about being framed for a crime will feel real and genuine, but if you've already decided that they are not, you can just say, "Thanks for the heads-up, amygdala, but I don't think we need to worry about that one right now." Don't try to fight the thoughts or prove that the fear can't happen. Just accept the "warning" and move on. You've already decided that it's not genuine, regardless of how it makes you feel.
This technique has really helped me deal with some of my contamination issues in the last few months. I might "feel" that something is dirty and dangerous, but that doesn't make it so. And even if I can't prove that something is 100% safe (and therefore shouldn't try), I can still behave like a normal person even when my "fight-or-flight" brain is screaming that something is wrong. Over time, the alarms have gotten quieter and less intrusive as I've taught myself that my fears are overblown.
Well...I take medication for one. I try to accept the uncertainty of the situation...that is something that is killer in OCD. We always want a definite answer. In your case...you want to know if you will or will not ever be framed. Unfortunately, there is no way to know. So you need to accept that. Tell your OCD "ya know what...I'm not going to let you destroy my time any longer. It may happen...it may not. But I need to enjoy now"
At the beginning I've truly beleived that I was losing my mind then when I came across your post by coincidence I've felt a bit relieved because I do have the same condition as you do, It's been two years since you published this post I hope things have gotten better in your life if you have any recommendations, tips or advices, i'd be pleased to share them with me.
I am actually going through this right now. I don’t know where it came from but I just have this really bad feeling all the time in my stomach to the point where I can’t really function. I did absolutely nothing wrong I would never even consider doing something that would send me to jail but, even so I still feel it. I’m sorry you’re going through this as well. It really does suck. But it Should be relaxing knowing that you’re not the only one going through it. I definitely found some relief knowing I wasn’t the only one because it proves to me that it’s all in the head. Good luck! And I hope you get through this soon!
Someone very close to me is experiencing this exact thing. The person is talking to a psychologist and is taking medication. I inspire them to look into meditation and Buddhism. Please give both a try. Also, The Power of Now worked wonders for myself. It teaches you how to not judge your thoughts. Don't label them as good or bad, just let them come. By observing your thoughts you allow them enter and the negative thoughts will not impact you. Please look into these things.
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