Hi everyone,
I’m hoping someone can relate... the last few days I have been seriously struggling with intrusive thoughts. They cause me so so much anxiety and I feel like I can’t function. My doctor started me on Effexor 37.5mg and to titrate up to 75mg after a week. Has anyone experienced these? They are so distressing and I feel like I can’t be near my family in fear of these horrible thoughts.
If harming your family is what the intrusive thoughts are about, then please understand that people with OCD do not carry out what they are fearful of doing. In fact, people with OCD are pretty safe to be around on the whole!
The trick is to avoid challenging the thoughts, or going over them in your head. Most people have weird thoughts, including thoughts of harming someone close to them, but the thought floats out of their heads as easily as it floated in. Having OCD means that these weird thoughts stick in our heads and we give them meaning which they really don't deserve.
Learning to let go of these thoughts involves learning to allow them in, acknowledging them but not interrogating them. Starved of attention, they go away.
It isn't the easiest trick to learn but just a little success with it brings a lot of relief. I can't comment on Effexor as I haven't taken it, but remember that medication takes about a month before you feel the benefits. CBT should be used alongside the medication. It's a bit difficult to get this currently, with the Coronavirus, but perhaps get a self help book that uses these techniques and start on the CBT yourself.
Hello,
I can relate..
I also struggle very severely with intrusive thoughts. Mine vary but my main problem is with germs and I obsessively clean anything and everything in the fear that they’re “contaminated” and will harm my family which will be “my fault”. As a result I then have horrific Intrusive thoughts that although the germs may have gone “what if the cleaning products then poison my family or cause them harm”. This has resulted in me obsessing over these thoughts and not being able to function because I’m so anxious and worried. I will throw items away or refuse to let anyone use something that I believe will cause them harm. I distance myself from family members so that I cannot “contaminate” them also. I carry antibacterial wipes in my bag and spray detol around the house but then become worried I’m poising people!
I am also taking the same medication and have just had them increased. I don’t feel any benefit as of yet but they can take up to 8 weeks to work so I’m hopeful they start to help. I’m also undergoing counselling and trying to make some lifestyle changes like exercise and eating better as I know this massively impacts my mood and mindset.
It’s very distressing and frustrating because I know it’s irrational but my mind doesn’t seem to be able to rationalise anything at the moment.
I hope this helps. Although it’s an awful experience it’s nice to be able to share with someone who understands.
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