Let’s Talk Intrusive Thoughts

[Itmewithanxiety]

Happy Thursday everyone! Has anyone else been diagnosed with having obsessive/intrusive thoughts? I am working with my therapist on this, but it is so hard to hear that this is what’s going on. I know we’ll work on regaining control of my thoughts, but I feel like I have no control right now and I feel alone. My anxiety was really bad last night and every time I started to fall asleep, I woke up to a panic attack. I made an appt with my doctor today to talk about my medication. I started Lexapro a little over a month ago which has helped a lot, but maybe my dose needs to be higher. Has anyone has good results from lexapro? Any tips for managing overwhelming anxiety and intrusive thoughts? I am trying to get myself out of the house more as I think my mind is getting lost working from home alone all day. Anyways.. that’s my morning brain dump. Have a great day everyone.

[Dolphin14]

Hi

Did you have your appointment yet?

It's good you are trying to get out more. Working from home has its perks but can be very isolating

🐬

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Dolphin14]

Yes, exactly. My appt is this evening after work. I’ll be sure to update here on how it goes! My doctor has been so helpful with getting me help with my anxiety so I’m sure she will help me with any adjustments needed.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Itmewithanxiety]

That's good news about your doctor being so supportive, not everyone gets that lucky

Looking forward to your update

Best of luck

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Dolphin14]

Quick update on my appt! It went well. My doctor is hesitant to up my dose because the medication conflicts with a medication I’m on for Fibromyalgia. But she’s going to consult w/ their in-house psychiatrist to get some guidance on the safety of upping the dose and will get back to me within a week. We’re also considering switching my fibromyalgia medicine to give me some more flexibility with the anxiety meds. I’ll continue to update here ☺️

[Dolphin14 in reply to Itmewithanxiety]

It's good to see that they are all speaking together to find the best medication for your particular needs. That's good medical care

Thank you so much for the update. I look forward to hearing from you again. It's great to have follow up and know things are ok

Enjoy your weekend

🐬

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you for taking the time to read my update ☺️ I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!

[Wakeboarder24]

Generally intrusive thoughts are painful and they pancake your self worth. It is very hard to talk about because it seems hard to understand. The main thing to remember is a thought is not a sin or a crime. Sometimes the pain from that thought can be strangely uncomfortable.

If you have a confidant, please share it with them. Pick someone who knows you and your self worth.

If you don’t have a confidant, do some light exercise and get in nature. It’s okay in this moment to boast about yourself to yourself. Remember times where you were up against it and you came through. Remember this is an uncomfortable moment and that it will pass. You will come out a stronger person on the other side.

Most of our worries don’t come true and it’s a scientific fact.

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Wakeboarder24]

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m writing the last line down as a daily reminder! Take care ☺️

[Always_hope_andpray]

Hello, I've been using the headspace app for meditation and have tried a technique called noting, it distances me from my thoughts. I think the idea is that overtime we realise we are not our thoughts.

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Always_hope_andpray]

I’ve heard a few people talk about HeadSpace on here! I’m going to check it out. I’ve never heard of noting, but I will look into that. Thank you or your reply!

[Beevee]

Hi 👋 I posted information about how to deal with intrusive thoughts a while back that you might find helpful.

To summarise, you will only gain control of those thoughts when you stop trying to control them. You cannot stop them coming but you can choose how to react to them. Adopting a passive attitude and not giving them the attention and respect they demand cuts the fuel supply and they wither away. Learn to let them go.

They are just a by product of an overly anxious mind and won't be there when you recover.

Best wishes!

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Beevee]

Thank you so much for your reply and taking time to summarize your original post! This is great advice. I’ll check out the full post to. Thank you so much!

[Kinlay]

Medications are very personal - we all react SO differently! I'd say give it 4-6 weeks, as long as you don't experience any unbearable side effects to see. As for dealing with the intrusive thoughts/anxiety, especially at night, I have a whole roster of things that sometimes work for me:

1. Drinking chamomile tea - it actually has proven anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects and the ritual of making and drinking it both distracts and calms me.

2. I use the Alpha/Theta for Sleep session on my AVE device, 36 min L: 10 Hz R: 6 Hz This session can really help to break up distressing thoughts that are interfering with sleep. They also have a lot of other anti-anxiety sessions that can help, so I tend to rotate based on how I'm feeling. mindalive.com/collections/a...

3. Reading a book that grabs my attention for 15-30 minutes. It distracts and resets me.

4. Taking half a lorazepam OR 1/4 alprazolam (the alprazolam also makes me sleepy, but can leave me a bit foggy the next day) as a last resort.

Hope this helps you. Hang in there, and remember that you are not alone!

[Itmewithanxiety in reply to Kinlay]

Thank you so much for your reply! These are great tips. My therapist also suggested a book at night. I have chamomile tea and never think to actually make a cup of it! lol That would be a good routine to get into, thank you for the reminder. As for medication, my doctor took my dose of lexapro up by 5 mg and I think that is helping. Take care! ☺️