Anxiety and intrusive thoughts

[HamSolo01]

I've realised that these days I am always thinking bad things will happen. Whether it is bad things coming as a result of something that has happened pr will happen to me or things that won't ever happen. Quick example is this news about the lions getting out in Taralga zoo.

Immediately I start to think what if I was the one responsible for it. Or what if I was a copper and needed to shoot the lion to protect someone. What if social media tried to say I was a bad person for trying to shoot a lion. All that jazz.

I need to try to put a stop to all that.

Any help is welcome

[white knight]

Hi again,

"What ifs" is an unhealthy state of mind because it feeds anxiety up to a panic state. I've been there, back in 1987 when my anxiety hit hard due to a workplace incident that was when I was subjected to mini corruption in a minor Govt department. Therapy followed and when my therapist heard of my thoughts eg while at home recovering will my boss knock on my door" ... "what if the media got hold of it and followed me". 

The remedy to all these thoughts was being taught how to discount these into unrealistic thoughts. Ask myself "is that likely". If no then discount it. How do you discount it? Well, best methods is to go over it in your mind many times "that isnt going to happen, it isnt real" at the same time distraction... get a hobby or even a jigsaw in a spare room, do 15 pieces then back to what you were doing. A walk around the block is a great way, the unexpected always happens, a chat, a new flower or a wave to someone you know.

 https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/depression-distraction-and-variety/td-p/275790

TonyWK

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear HamSolo01,

Intrusive thoughts are really hard to get a hold on….but possible..

When this happens to me, I distract my thoughts by listening to music, singing along with the words, doing something that I like to do, do some mindfulness, meditation or listen to an audio book….and completely put my whole concentration onto them….Someone once told me our brain as complex as it is…”can only think of one thing at a time”…The concept of distracting your thoughts by singing alone with a song you like or listening to an audio book you really like…can help move our thoughts away the intrusive negative thoughts towards something more pleasant….

Your thoughts are just that dear Hams..only thoughts and not reality….I know how hard it is to change or get out of our head when intrusive thoughts do occur… the quicker we are aware of this happening, and we can divert/distract them…the more power we can hopefully gain on these intrusive thoughts now and into any other future intrusive thoughts…It takes practice, but it’s possible….

My kindest thoughts Dear HamSolo….with my care..

Grandy..

[HamSolo01]

This morning has been cruisy. Just googling and updating things.

I need to learn to be WAY LESS harsh on myself.

I keep analysing myself as if I were someone else completely. But this is not possible. I'm biased.

There's a lot that occupies my mind.

I will see my psych tomorrow. I hope beyond hope that it's helpful. Or else it just becomes a chit chat. Nothing comes of that except repression.

I need to use my reason and logic and clear thinking to get me forward. I can't apply it to my heart. Or matters of the heart.

I over analyse everything as a coping mechanism

[HamSolo01]

Hey white knight. I can totally see how being exposed to corruption in govt could do that. 

The whole question of what if the media got a hold of my activities... what would they do and also what if work found out or whatver... shame and guilt then kick in before an opportunity for them to even happen.

The unexpected is key hey. It helps so much. 

I had this chat with my boss just yesterday. 

Thanks for your insights and help my friend 

[HamSolo01]

Hey Ggrand 

Yes - the QUICKER I can jump on that the better hey? 

It does take practice. But I guess it's like anything in life.

[HamSolo01]

Had psych today
was helpful
tomorrow i have set myself a task of planning out things for the next few months in all aspects of life
It will help me unload a lot of the things in my mind and prioritise things too
I plan on going to a cafe and doing it then also in my old uni area too - plenty of space and can feel nostalgic i guess lol
then have an event in evening which should be interesting