[Lexaproman]

I will not pretend I have this mastered by I will say the best thing that I have done is discipline myself to separate the real from the unrealistic thoughts that fell all to real in my mind.

Classic example. I have king put suicidal thoughts to rest by reaffirming that despite the train wreck of a life I live there is still plenty of things worth living for! I realize that while the thoughts are very convincing that is not a realistic option.

[venusss]

Separating thoughts and behavior is important. Just because the thought pops in your head does not mean you have to act it out.

There is a line between mood and behavior too. You can act outside of your moods, instead of giving in.

It takes time, but in the end, it is what enables you to live normally.

[Gus1234U]

what excellent insights~! i like to remind myself: I am not my Thoughts; I am not my Feelings; I am not my Actions; i am more than all of these, i am Life being Gus.

[lonegael]

It's a simple insight, but oh boy, it can take years before one can really start living it. Years ago, I started realizing that my emotines were not always coming up in response to something happening in the outer world. Only recently hav I really been able to turn that into an insight that has really changed how I handle those feelings and can in turn help me change them. It's been a process that isn't quite done.

[Anneinside]

Lately I have been very anxious and have sudden and frequent worries that nag at me, like I might have an accident with my car (I'm sitting on my lazyboy at the time), my disability money will stop, my rent will go up and I won't be able to pay it... and on. My psychologist gave me a way of dealing with it that helps a lot of people. Visualize a container with a lid. Put the worry in the container and put the lid on. Say to yourself, it is in the jar and I can take it out if I want to later.

I have trouble controlling my thoughts and some trouble controlling my actions (spending when hypomanic) but I am working on it.

[Lexaproman]

Yes indeed and like I mentioned I have not mastered it. And I have worked at if for many years.

Some of the thoughts are so real and some are so enticing while others are so powerful and appear logical. Not too mention that your thoughts are guaged and influenced by your feelings as you all have mentioned.

But nevertheless it is important to fight it through and not be impulsive.

[sugahorse1]

Thanks for the great words of encouragement and inspiration!

[SylviaPlath]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Lately I have been very anxious and have sudden and frequent worries that nag at me, like I might have an accident with my car (I'm sitting on my lazyboy at the time), my disability money will stop, my rent will go up and I won't be able to pay it... and on. My psychologist gave me a way of dealing with it that helps a lot of people. Visualize a container with a lid. Put the worry in the container and put the lid on. Say to yourself, it is in the jar and I can take it out if I want to later.

I have trouble controlling my thoughts and some trouble controlling my actions (spending when hypomanic) but I am working on it.

Congratulations for trying to work on your intrusive thoughts. That is a very hard thing to do. Good job!

[Lexaproman]

I digress, I forgot to also mention I applaud those efforts and the visualization shared.

Fact is if we can at least recognize that our destructive thoughts are intrusive that is a step in the right direction.