Discussion How do others/you deal with intrusive thoughts?

[ScaredCutter]

this feels stupid to make because i dont really get any major ones and they typically dont last long, well, if i can tell the difference lol.

the reason for this is that someone i know is struggling with this and since idk what it may exactly be or how to help them eith handling it, i want to be able to say what they could do in those situations. i just want to hear others on how theyve been dealing with this, i dont mind links to where people share there expuerences or if its just ur own experience. im very uninformed about these and i have done some research, what it could be connected to, what kind of thoughts and such but, i feel like those sotes dont say enough on dealing with it. i dint wanna use reddit, i just look at these goverment sites or just sites in just australia (which is what shows for me).

i want to be able to give them a wide range of things so they dont feel like they will be at wits end when something doesnt work, i do know meds are an option but, im not sure what meds r available for them when its about this.

 

[Spite]

In my case I suffer from intrusive thoughts but said thoughts tend to become exacerbated whenever I am distressed. To mitigate this, I usually try to isolate myself as best I can. It's why I almost always avoid going out of my house unless I absolutely have to (ie work, groceries). If I'm here at home in my comfort zone, I run much less of a risk of running into situations that could cause my stress to spike. Less stress - less intrusive thoughts, for me at least. I know intrusive thoughts are different for everyone though. I've also found listening to music is a good way to "channel" my intrusive thoughts in some way, or at least keep my mind distracted from them. Again, this may work for some and might not for others, so I can't say these methods are guaranteed to help, but they could help and I'd hope they would.

 

[SnaileyBailey]

Its not stupid, don't discount it. It starts with minor ones and the more you entertain them the more major they get.

For me I get them really bad in the morning or during isolation episodes. I usually use my journal to keep my mind busy. I've found it helps a lot with keeping my mind organized and finding out exactly why I feel that way and what I should do about it.

 

[tomatriste]

i have absolutely no solution to my intrusive thoughts. they're a great reason of why i want to ctb as they're terribly debilitating and destructive to me

 

[cirolion]

Hello. I wanted to share something I've learned about intrusive thoughts, as I have been dealing with them for quite a long time. The root of the issue with intrusive thoughts is how you react to them. While I still have episodes where they are debilitating to the point of suicidal ideation, what I've found that works for me is continuing with life as if they are not there, as well as accepting their presence. Giving them power is what leads to them taking over your thoughts to such a degree. It can be hard when you are already in a rough spot, as that can give more fuel to the fire (so to speak) making it harder to pull out of the hole they can dig you into. Don't try to make them go away, that is what makes them worse. What you have to do is face them. Don't give them attention, but just acknowledge they are there and keep doing what you're doing. It might not sound like it can help, but it does. Acceptance is the only way I've found that works for me.

 

[trying ungracefully]

For me I talk to myself and say things like "stop" or "shut up" or "if you're quiet for one minute". It's not the healthiest I guess but I haven't found anything else that works, that barely does.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I guess it partly depends on what the intrusive thoughts are. I don't experience ideation as intrusive personally. I have experienced limerence as being intrusive, as well as extreme self doubt in work situations though.

For both of those, I tended to tell myself- this is just what you do. You obsess about people and you run yourself down. I knew limerence was causing me more harm than good so, I kind of berated myself each time I thought about them. I also consciously stopped myself fantasizing about them.

I think that can be an issue- if we get pleasure out if some of the thoughts, we can feel reluctant to let that go. But then- I think it's important to view the whole picture. I knew it was messing me up so- the good had to be thrown out with the bad.

The berating thoughts in work places and work situations has stayed with me. I suppose I just tell myself that whatever I'm feeling- the job needs to be done. And- ok, I probably just made a mistake. Ok, I'm not as good and never will be- as other people but then- I didn't believe I was from the start.

It does really depend on what the thoughts are though as to how we manage them I think. I suppose for me though- it was acknowledging I'm prone to thinking like this. That allows me to detatch a little from the thoughts. See them more as a symptom of an issue I have- rather than something more real and logical.

 

[tomatriste]

i can't .. they consume a great part of my day and as of lately, have given me insomnia; and will likely result in my fourth, final, and successful attempt at ctb