Obessive thinking

[Landj]

Hi, 

lately I have had so many obsessive thoughts. I get fixated on a problem and I can’t distract myself. I have trouble sleeping and staying asleep. I have bipolar disorder and my anxiety is really bad. I’m wondering if my meds need a review. 

Any advice on how to change my thinking? 

[geoff]

Hello Landj, please let me welcome you to the forums.

From what you have told us, yes I think you should go back and have your medication reviewed.

People with bipolar disorder can also have OCD which is caused by anxiety and with this illness, it's common to have intrusive thoughts, and I say this because I have this type of depression.

With these thoughts, we can get fixated on a particular thought that seems to be unreasonable that comes and goes and maybe sparked off by something you see or by another thought.

If you type in 'intrusive thoughts' there is a large section where many people have discussed it, and when you visit your doctor they maybe able to prescribe some medication for OCD and refer you onto a psychologist using the 'mental health plan', which entitles you to 10 Medicare rebates per day.

Please, I hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

[Landj]

Hi Geoff,

thanks I think I will go and see my doctor.

[baet123]

Hi Landj,

Welcome to the forums and thank you so much for posting. It is great to have you here and I hope you find these forums beneficial!

Sorry to hear that your struggling at the moment and as you and Geoff rightly suggested, I would consider reviewing your medication. Not one size fits all right? That is definitely the case with medication. It is important to try and stay on top of these things as it is often a crucial component of successful the recovery/treatment process.

May I ask if anything has happened recently that may have led you to having increased obsessive thoughts? Have you explored with your health professionals any underlying issues that are contributing factors behind your anxiety and inability to get good sleep etc? Addressing underlying issues is often key to addressing anxiety and issues with sleeping.

In terms of changing your thinking, I would ask your GP or specialist for a referral to a psychologist or psychotherapist and discuss treatment options with them. CBT, DBT and other techniques are extremely common and can yield great results in combination with medication.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Nick.

[Landj]

Hi Nick,

i lost my job a couple of months ago. But before then my anxiety was through the roof. It has been up and down since. My obsessive thinking is about getting a speeding fine or getting caught over the blood alcohol limit the next day after I’ve had a few drinks. Even 14 hours later I was stressed I would be over the limit. My thoughts move from one issue to the next daily. Some days are ok. Some are rough.

Im going to see my doctor next week to discuss everything. I’m not currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. I think I might need to. Last couple of years I haven’t needed to see one as I have been stable on my meds.

Thanks for replying to me.

[Blusky]

Hi Landj

Thank you for posting, I honestly thought I was alone with my obsessive thoughts. I obsess about the little things, could be what I said or didn't say today, like you, speeding fines come up, a lot. To be frank I will probably obsess about this post.

Usually for me when it gets out of control, where I loose sleep continuously and I have a change in my mood/behaviour it means I need to see my medical team and get a rebalance.

Sound like you are taking the right steps.

Take care and once again thank you for posting.

[geoff]

Hi Landj, thanks for joining the thread and I'm sorry for you to lose your job whether it was caused by your anxiety you may want to let us know.

I don't think you're alone with the worry of getting a speed ticket or a high reading but losing your job could be the reason why your OCD has increased, I know that's not what you want but can I suggest you write down what you are concerned about and then give the list to both your doctor and psychologist.

There is an online OCD test so just copy and paste this in your search bar

-https://www.psycom.net/do-i-have-ocd-test

You have to remember that OCD can be controlled if it's mild by medication and therapy if you are so lucky, but it can easily be revived at any stage from an awkward situation.

I'm sorry for you but please let us know how you get on.

Hi Blusky, you are certainly not alone because there are so many people suffering from OCD, ranging from mild to serious all of which hamper our daily lives, especially if it's bad.

Take care.

Geoff.

[baet123]

Hey Landj,

Thank you for your reply and sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have been out of Sydney for work and haven't had my usual access to internet/computer.

Sorry to hear that you lost your job a few moths ago. It is expected that some days will be better than others and the best thing you can do is exactly what your planning on doing which is seeing your doctor and discussing everything with him/her. Seeing a therapist may help also so this is an options you may consider.

Keep fighting the good fight and things will get better.

Nick.