Intrusive thoughts.

[Joshua_B]

I haven’t had intrusive thoughts for a while, but now they’re back and they’re really intense. I know that the intrusive thoughts are egodystonic and false, being the opposite of my values, ethics, principles and morals. The intrusive thoughts try to confuse me and then manipulate my thought processes, and it tries to do this nonstop. My psychologist and psychiatrist have both said that it is egodystonic. I am following the advice from the professionals and trying my best to avoid reassurance and any emotional reaction to the intrusive thoughts. I’m also writing my intrusive thoughts in a journal to desensitise myself to the intrusive thoughts. Recent stresses in the household may have caused another session of intrusive thoughts to occur. I’m using the Headspace, RainRain and TheMighty apps. I am seeking as much help as possible and I am using my social network as much as I can. I am using as many analogies as I can to strategise as to how to cope with and selectively ignore the egodystonic intrusive thoughts. Is there any other strategy that I can do to ignore these intrusive thoughts successfully?

[quirkywords]

Jishua

welcome to the forums and thanks for writing your first post.

You are getting help and trying things to help you the intrusive thoughts.

You are using a variety of techniques and apps . Do you feel one works better for you than the others.

If you type intrusive thoughts into search box and top right hand of page you may find threads that may help.

I am not sure how long you have been trying the methods mentioned but as you know it can take time.

It must be very stressful for you . As you said there have been recent stresses in your household, have they lessened at all. ?

If you want keep in touch and let us know how you are.

By answering your post it will bump up so more people can see it.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Joshua B, welcome to the forums.

I have no idea what you mean by egodystonic, I've never heard that word. I'm sorry you're having stress and intrusive thoughts though. Seems like a good idea to write it in a diary.

I hope the apps work for you and you find support here, and as quirky said, you can do a search to see some tips and other threads on the same topic.

I have intrusive thoughts myself so I don't have any ways to cope and stop them unfortunately, I'm sorry I can't help more. But I do care and I'm here for you.

[clown_of_mine]

your post is brave and your actions are brave - it takes time to get a handle on things and you will cause your managing thus far is brilliant. Distraction are helpful just regular stuff take a walk notice the weather and the environment around you - see a movie - ride a bike - and post on line. I salute you

[Joshua_B]

Thank you, I find that to be very helpful. Things like the environment and weather do seem to be good distractions. I appreciate your help.

[Joshua_B]

Thank you quirkywords, I really appreciate the welcome. I apologise for the late reply. The household stress has lessened, but the intrusive thoughts are still invading. I’m trying my best to separate myself from the intrusive thoughts and ignoring them, but they come in huge, prolonged waves. I’ll check out the intrusive thoughts forums that you suggested. Again, thank you.

[Joshua_B]

Thank you mb20lover, that is really nice of you. What I meant by egodystonic is something that is in conflict with a person’s values, morals, ethics, principles, etc. Thank you for your kindness.

[Guest_4643]

Oh ok, thanks for explaining it to me Joshua B. I'm sorry you've been dealing with that amongst other things. I'm here for you, although I don't fully understand the egodystonic thoughts but I'm willing to listen and try to offer support as much as I can.

[geoff]

Hello Joshua B, knowing that these intrusive thoughts are egodystonic and false makes it very difficult to know the problem, but there are other issues that may interfere with those memories, such as, someone becomes concerned about a thought which may relate to a past event which may have happened but by some confusion, our mind makes up a reason why, and this is not any fault of yours, as I too have had them.

As said a distraction might help, like go and play with the kids or something similar to take your mind off these intrusive thoughts, because if you can't do this the stronger they become.

It's like giving a ball to a puppy to chase after, it will continually bring it back to be thrown again, but if you ignore it, then eventually, it won't bring it back and entertain itself another way.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Tom29]

Hi
I too have been having intrusive thoughts myself never used to have any until now. It absolutely scares me, been breaking down crying, feeling physically sick, feeling guilty and embarrassed even though these thoughts intruded on me.
I hope to those who are going through intrusive thoughts do get better, I'm new to this and it upsets and scares me.