Intrusive Thoughts

Can anyone recommend a good book or resource on dealing with intrusive thoughts?

I have done DBT because I have Borderline Personality Disorder. I also have ADHD, and have had different diagnosis through the years of depression, anxiety and OCD.

I had a baby a year ago (my first). I recently read an article about post-natal OCD that was bang on with my symptoms. I wanted to write in here as I found the OCD forum seem to have more of a focus on hair pulling out and stuff like that ( I apologize I don't mean that to sound insensitive, I cannot begin to try to spell the word they use for that so that is how I described it).

I am not on medication anymore-I went off it just before getting pregnant so it's about 2 years now. I went through DBT which helped me a lot. I returned to work about a month ago and am now trying to balance working full-time and taking care of my daughter. My husband works evenings so I have to do everything by myself-it's not that difficult, but it is hard and tiring, especially because my daughter wakes up multiple times per night.

I think the increased stress of being back to work (commuting-which I hate, getting up early, work itself, having very little down time) has made the intrusive thoughts come back. I had them pretty bad when my daughter was first born, and at different times during her first year. What I do is recognize them for what they are, then try to think about something else that is positive. I even tell myself this is my brain trying to screw with me, don't let it win. The problem I am finding is they just keep coming. Like I can't drive to work without thinking I am going to get in an accident and die. I worry so much about my daughter, husband and family dying.

I do not want to go back on medication. I was on it since my teens (I am almost 40) and I don't want to go back. I also suffer from severe discontinuation syndrome when I go off-it takes me months and months and it is hell. I know I need to work on reducing the stress in my life and getting some me time in. I am so poor right now though so I need me time that isn't expensive. I think cutting down on caffeine will help, eating right and exercising. When I was on maternity leave I exercised so much, but now I am just so exhausted and I have persistent back pain that makes it hard. I am taking a Stress vitamin B. Maybe I should take some magnesium?

For people who have dealt with intrusive thoughts how do you minimize them? Are there any good resources you can recommend?

Thank You,
:-)

I try distraction and building new neural pathways. Maybe going back on medication would be the best thing for you at this time. Best wishes.

Nobody wants to be on medication and everyone has hard times with it. To me, however, suffering from the kind of intrusive thoughts you're having is worse than being on meds.

I have struggled with them for 2 years now. My intrusive thoughts seems to come and go. The thoughts Will be gone for a while and then occur from outta nowhere. I want to know if I will have these for the rest of my life or will they go away for good.

I still get them they started as a kid and I am 40 now. I am also fairly stable on medication. The intrusive thoughts come and go. Sometimes they last for a few hours sometimes they last a few weeks. Hope this helps.