Unwanted Thoughts

[Trying55]

Hi,

So, I don't really know how to start this or what to say as this is my first time posting here. Well, I guess I should begin by saying that well, I have an obsessive compulsive disorder and I need someone who understands the disorder to help me. I see a psychologist and everything but I don't have 24/7 access to her, my parents don't really understand my situation due to cultural differences I guess you could say and my friends have their own burdens to deal with then to constantly comfort me. So, I thought I'd come here to seek some support because I don't really know what else to do.

My anxiety isn't too bad, I mean I wash my hands way more often then I should and become anxious over things that I shouldn't be anxious about, but whenever those sorts of things begin to subside, the obsessive side of the equation, the thoughts begin to overpower me. The thoughts can be so awful and debilitating, I honestly just can't stand it anymore. I can't stand being around myself anymore because I'm scared of my thoughts, I'm scared of acting on them or giving in to them, I'm scared of losing myself to them and after everything I've been through I just cannot stand losing to them.

I just need some tips or suggestions that will help me deal with this, that will help me avoid the thoughts and push them away. Any advice at all would be a major help, I know that I'm not the only one that deals with this and its a long battle but I just don't really know what else to do about it.

Thank you for your time.

[Guest_989]

Hello mate!!!

The best advice I ever had on thoughts, was from a book I read.

It says to not avoid, ignore or push the thoughts away.

Instead acknowledge them for what they are, just that a thought.

Ackowledge it's a thought/memory and say to yourself, it's in the past and I accept it for what it is, and let it go and move on.

[Trying55]

Hi Azbox, thank you for your advice it is very much appreciated.

But, do you think if I keep acknowledging the thoughts that eventually they'll all go away? Because at the moment its more like I'm given one thought to obsess over until my mind eventually moves onto the next thing to worry or obsess over. Like will the cycle ever break or am I stuck in it?

[Guest_989]

From the books on mindfulness and thoughts I have read, you'll never rid yourself of them, the mind will always think, always bring up memories (painful and happy)

Its all about acknowledging the thought as good or bad and in the last.

Letting it go, rather then thinking about it over and over until it becomes an emotional response

Next time one pops into your head, ackowledge it as just a thought, and then move on

[Zeal]

Hey Trying,

I'm sorry to hear that the obsessive and frightening thoughts are overwhelming. I have OCD as well, and have had this condition since I was 13 (for 11 years now). A great resource book I highly recommend is The OCD Workbook by Hyman and Pedrick. Hopefully a local library will stock this, or maybe a book store could order it in. Failing that, online book-buying sites would probably have it. Anyway, there is plenty of info in there about intrusive thoughts and how to cope with them. Like Azbox said, acknowledging thoughts (instead of trying to get rid of them) is crucial. This takes time and practice.

It's good that you're currently seeing a psychologist to help with the obsessive thoughts and other symptoms. If you ever need to talk about what's frustrating you in-between your psych sessions, Beyondblue is available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636.

I'd love to hear back from you 🙂

Best wishes,

Zeal

[Trying55]

Hi Zeal,

Yeah I think Azbox's advice has helped for sure and thank you for suggesting that book I think it will be good for me to read more about my condition because for so long now I've done everything I can to sort of avoid facing it but I'm starting to realise that it's not as simple as that, so thank you so much for your help and advice, it means a lot.