Hi bearhugs, I know this all too well. These have been so hard on me and I really feel for you going through them too. No, you really don't have to just sit through them and take it. One of the things that helped me was to draw them once they passed. I would then run my hands over them and even smash them up into a ball. It sounds odd, but it was really empowering for me and I think helps keep a lot of them from coming back (I used to get the same ones over and over). I also kept empowering music on in the background while I did this. It helped me feel not so alone, and I play the music in the car which I think helps keep me from having them in the car. Some of my worst ones have been in the car. I guess the main point was to be able to touch what I was afraid of -- all those images. It really helped.

Be well,

mtd