[onionknight]

Does anyone else experience persistent worriest that they can't shake from their minds, regardless of how irrelevant to the current task or overall unlikely it is?

For me, it is like I will become concerned about something and then not be able to think about anything else until I gather more evidence to either confirm or deny what I'm worried about. This wastes a lot of time, and sometimes pulls me further into anxiety.

What can I do?

not quite sure what you mean.. are we talking big thoughts here, or something small

[Vincent52]

onionknight I think I understand what you are talking about. I can get stuck in a loop of thinking that will prevent me from getting anything done except worry. I have been stuck there for days.

To get out of it, I take extra good care of myself. I make sure I am eating, I talk to friends/family (not about how I'm feeling- just talk), sleep as much as I can, and do somthing relaxing but that takes concentration- like reading.

If there is somthing actually wrong that is making you worry, then tackle it. Get it done and over so you can bring yourself back down. Easier said than done when your worry is sitting on your head like a bucket.

I also take meds. Those help to keep me from getting in that anxiety loop. Have you seen a doctor?

[onionknight]

It's like in the back of my mind I have a whole list of worries and then if something happens to trigger one of these worries coming to the front of my mind, I will be unable to shake it from my mind. I will ruminate about the possible ramification or try to look for evidence to support it happening or not happening.

Most recently, I've been really worried that I am losing my mind. When anything strange happens, I get really freaked out. I hate it because I know I just need to tell myself to stop and focus on something else, but it isn't that simple.

I do take meds, too. But I am trying to get off the Zoloft because I hate it.

[Miswimmy1]

sounds like OCD to me. and i suggest that until you hav the thoughts under control, i wouldn't get off the zoloft because its only that much harder to manage OCD without meds. do you hav a t?

[onionknight]

Yeah, OCD sounds about right.

I have a psychiatrist but not a therapist. I'm seeing psychi next week to talk about meds. Zoloft was only a partial help, so it isn't that big of a loss. At higher doses, it makes me sick, and the lowest dose doesn't work all that well. I'm looking into getting a new therapist, as in made some calls this afternoon, hoping to set up an appointment.

Can I ask a question about OCD? Would you get uncontrollable images in your head of something bad happening that are sparked by perfectly normal events? Like if you're stopped at a stop light and someone walks in front of you, you freak out because you imagine yourself accidentally hurting the person by releasing the break when you're not paying attention. Yeah, probably...Dang. I'm falling apart here!

Hah, so I took psychcentral's OCD screening, and I scored in the "most likely catagory."

[Miswimmy1]

Originally Posted by onionknight

Can I ask a question about OCD? Would you get uncontrollable images in your head of something bad happening that are sparked by perfectly normal events? Like if you're stopped at a stop light and someone walks in front of you, you freak out because you imagine yourself accidentally hurting the person by releasing the break when you're not paying attention. Yeah, probably...Dang. I'm falling apart here!

I dont have that kind of OCD. my OCD is about germs... but yes, usually OCD takes some thing that really coudl happen, or has some sense of truth to it and twists it. so im not surrrised that OCD is making you think that.

i would get a t because exposure therapy is the most efficient way to combat OCD. and it will be a lot easier with a t to guide you along the way

[whoswho]

A very common form of OCD, and one I suffer with as well, is when hitting a bump on the road having the impulse to stop, turn around, and check to see if you ran someone (something) over.

Also, look up "intrusive thoughts," because this is a very common OCD trait as well.

[onionknight]

^ Over the summer, I hit a curb while turning so I got jarred and even thought it was 10 minutes back (10 ungodly haunting minutes at that!), I had to turn around and make sure I didn't kill someone.

And yeah, I do get some intrusive thoughts too, usually of a sexual nature. I hate them. Is there really anything that can be done to help?

Ugh, I hate all of this! I want to crawl up and cry, but I have another hour at the office and an hour and a half commute before home.

[whitedoves1]

My boyfriend just passed age 50 heart attack 3 months now.
My daughter is autistic,
My other 4 daughters won't talk to me.
I spent thanksgiving at McDonald's.
I met a nice lawyer for a date.
All he wanted was sex.
I told him **** off.
I'm looking for love.
No luck.
I can't stand being alone.
My 15 year old daughter cannot speak her feelings and thoughts
I just want to go hide somewhere.
I have no friends.
They are all junkies and pill poppers.
Yukk.
I'm so sad

[Gidzmo]

Originally Posted by onionknight

Does anyone else experience persistent worriest that they can't shake from their minds, regardless of how irrelevant to the current task or overall unlikely it is?

For me, it is like I will become concerned about something and then not be able to think about anything else until I gather more evidence to either confirm or deny what I'm worried about. This wastes a lot of time, and sometimes pulls me further into anxiety.

What can I do?

I am in the same place. If it's not double-checking a door, it's wondering where something is. I don't know what to do with it.

[jojo1988]

I do a lot. sometimes i can't sleep because of it. Some are things like a topic i could add to my blog, but i can't sleep until I research it and write about it and a bunch of other things. even though i write it down and tell myself i'll blog about it tomorrow, or when i have time, I can't stop thinking about it.

[janealizabeth]

Psychiatrist is step one...but having a therapist is also extremely important. What I have found to be helpful is regular therapy in addition to medication. This would help you learn techniques to stay in the present because what's mainly happening when have these obsessive thoughts is that our minds are in over-drive. A connection with the present moment and whats happening around you creates a disconnection in the obsessive train of thought. So, therapy definitely. Try meditation...it is helping me a lot...it'll be difficult in the beginning but with time you mind will begin to calm down. Also, reminding yourself to be mindful...when you are in a place, listen to the sounds ...touch the things around you and focus on the actual sensations, that might help you as well, it helped me.

[Annie Mercury]

You are smarter and wiser than you give yourself credit for. There is no reason everwhya person cannot commend themselves for their integrity, especially when enduring an onslaught of overwhelming situations.
But, you told the lawyer NO. That speaks to your unwillingness to compromise your core values to distract you from your pain. Secondly, your decision to remove toxic people from your circle ( the druggies) again speaks of your unbendable stand not to compromise, no matter how lonely you may feel. You had the courage to go to McD's on a family holiday. My point being, when we are so deep in grief, it's easy, almost natural to retreat and many times claw for a glimmer of a reason to rise. But you didnt retreat. YOU ROSE..and you sound like you keep doing so. Please, just keep on in the practice. tiny steps, larger steps..what ever you are ok with at the time. Now is the time for youto give yourself permission to put yourself in the forefront. It has taken me thirty years to do this myself. My problems are similar in origin. Your daughter will be fine. truly. I have all 3 of my adult children living back home. Its a hard seperation to make- we are still mothers who love their children, but they have to learn life lessons, and trust in the parents love for them. Your daughter sounds like mine, and mine is 21.( suddenly a scholar at life, mind you. I wouldnt be that age again for anything.Really.) I pulled back..way back. it sure didnt happen overnight, it hurt like hell, and was confusing. i realized my kids were their own people..3 distinct individuals with the rightto screw up and learn like the rest of us did. Your 15 yrold knows you are there.
Let yourself indulge in the once socially unheard of act of loving yourself first. In upbuilding self talk, in other self-honoring ways. Do keep getting back up. Even if we crawl, we are still moving. You just keep on going. Please feel free to contact me, atotal stranger yes. I empathize . i have been there, deaths, unhealthy friendships, kids, you name it.
Annie

[ZoeyAshman]

Originally Posted by onionknight

It's like in the back of my mind I have a whole list of worries and then if something happens to trigger one of these worries coming to the front of my mind, I will be unable to shake it from my mind. I will ruminate about the possible ramification or try to look for evidence to support it happening or not happening.

Most recently, I've been really worried that I am losing my mind. When anything strange happens, I get really freaked out. I hate it because I know I just need to tell myself to stop and focus on something else, but it isn't that simple.

I do take meds, too. But I am trying to get off the Zoloft because I hate it.

That is exactly how I feel and I have never been able to write it down as couldn't think how to word it.

I really struggle so will keep an eye on this post