Intrusive thoughts

[Footballmadness2019]

Does anyone ever experience really horrible intrusive thoughts I'm experiencing them all the time and I'm scared that they might turn into actions

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[AiThink]

Does anyone ever experience really horrible intrusive thoughts I'm experiencing them all the time and I'm scared that they might turn into actions

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I get them all the time. Sometimes it's difficult to handle and I have to distract myself with some activity in order to avoid the anxiety they provoke. Thoughts of death seems to be a reaccuring theme. I think of details of my own death or someone I know. Ive had these for a while and the still scare me. But like I said. Activity helps. Reading helps. Counting backwards from 100 by 3's help. I also get thoughts about sex. I really hate it because sometimes it involves thoughts about friends and even relatives. I know these thoughts are normal but as someone with anxiety, it can get a little overwhelming.

 

[Footballmadness2019]

I get them all the time. Sometimes it's difficult to handle and I have to distract myself with some activity in order to avoid the anxiety they provoke. Thoughts of death seems to be a reaccuring theme. I think of details of my own death or someone I know. Ive had these for a while and the still scare me. But like I said. Activity helps. Reading helps. Counting backwards from 100 by there's help. I also get thoughts about sex. I really hate it because sometimes it involves thoughts about friends and even relatives. I know these thoughts are normal but someone with anxiety, it can get a little overwhelming.

Mine are all about loosing control and hurting my family it's so distressing as I would never do that but it makes you question everything when your thinking that stuff

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[AiThink]

I've had those too. Not too comon but yes. I would say don't feel ashamed. The thought is normal. The response to the thought is the problem. People with anxiety are more sensitive to thoughts like this. We just not need to stop the thought, just learn how to better cope with the response. Talking about it is a great way to deal with this. So you are on the right track. But please don't beat yourself up about this.

 

[bin_tenn]

The intrusive thoughts both of you have experienced are very normal with anxiety, and I believe they fall more into the OCD aspect of the disorder rather than the anxiety itself. I also tend to get thoughts like this, though I know I'd never act on them. They can be upsetting because I know they aren't me.

For example, someone could be helping me out with something, and I suddenly start wondering things such as "what if I push them over right now?" Or anything alone those lines. I often find myself thinking "what if I suddenly veer the car off the road into this ditch?" and "what if I jump out of this 5th story window?" (when I'm in a tall building). I recently learned that there's a phrase for this: "l'appel du vide" which translates literally to "the call of the void".

I don't recall talking to my therapist specifically about these thoughts, but I know they're far more common than one may realize. You know you'd never act on them, and that's probably why they're so bothersome. They're so unlike you that it's scary to think about. But really I think the mind is just reaching for anything to draw attention to anxiety. Haha.

 

[Bobnnat]

The intrusive thoughts both of you have experienced are very normal with anxiety, and I believe they fall more into the OCD aspect of the disorder rather than the anxiety itself. I also tend to get thoughts like this, though I know I'd never act on them. They can be upsetting because I know they aren't me.

For example, someone could be helping me out with something, and I suddenly start wondering things such as "what if I push them over right now?" Or anything alone those lines. I often find myself thinking "what if I suddenly veer the car off the road into this ditch?" and "what if I jump out of this 5th story window?" (when I'm in a tall building). I recently learned that there's a phrase for this: "l'appel du vide" which translates literally to "the call of the void".

I don't recall talking to my therapist specifically about these thoughts, but I know they're far more common than one may realize. You know you'd never act on them, and that's probably why they're so bothersome. They're so unlike you that it's scary to think about. But really I think the mind is just reaching for anything to draw attention to anxiety. Haha.

Funny you'd mention that. I read a book on anxiety a while back. i can't recall the title, but he specifically mentioned situations like you describe. He mentioned that thought of "what if i veer this car into oncoming traffic?" He said they're totally normal, and a defense mechanism we use.

 

[Brad66]

Yep I get them anytime I am stressed.

Ignoring them can be difficult but honestly it's the only way to get them to go. The old saying "what ever you feed grows" really applies with them... The more you feed them your attention the worse they get.

 

[JustMe]

I get those thoughts too. I usually try to make my mind think of something else. I know they are totally irrational thoughts and things I would never do but im usually playing out some weird scenarios in my head of what I could possibly do or what other people could possibly do. Sometimes it can even make me laugh cause I think of the craziest stuff!