Intrusive thoughts

Im fresh from IP a week ago. I thought the bad thoughts were all gone but Im having passing intrusive thoughts. I see my T but not until Thursday. Im just curious what are some ways you all deal with these types of thoughts.

Thanks

I have them from OCD and the Paxil helps a lot, I rarely get them now

Well I have PRNs I can take but Im looking for ways to get past them without taking a PRN. Im glad yours are gone.

I try to allow myself one minute to think about the thought and then I distract myself. Distraction is my go to method, but sometimes the thoughts are so powerful they break through it. When this happens, I write them down on paper just as a means to get them out and kind of gives them less power in my head if I'm the one writing them out. Sometimes I work through them better on paper than I do in my head.

I guess journaling would help. I have written some about them but maybe I just need to write more. Thank you both.

This is going to sound pretty silly, but I yell at them in my head to shut up. I yell "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" in my head over and over until I am somehow able to tear myself away from the grip of the thoughts and distract myself.

It doesn't always work, but sometimes it does.

I talked to my preacher today and he said its spiritual warfare. I said I believe in thatbut I also believe I have a disease called bipolar disorder and its evil. I get the sense from our small chat that he 100% believes prayer will cure all of this.

It makes me feel even worse about myself. I feel like a waste of space and air. Im ruining my family by my issues and I feel its be better is I didn't exist.

((((hugs))))

Nooooooo! No, no, no ... It isn't spiritual warfare—it is 100% biochemical in nature and NOT evil. I'm sorry he told you this. It is absolutely not true. Although he is your preacher, he could not be more ignorant about mental illness. Again, YOU ARE NOT EVIL! Prayer can help you cope, yes, but medication stabilizes our brains, and cognitive behavioral therapy helps us sorts out our thoughts. Please, PLEASE don't believe this. I've seen far too many good people suffer from believing their mental illness could be cured by prayer. We need to stand up to this ignorance. It is so wrong of him to tell you this...


You aren't a waste of space and air. Absolutely not.

Im sad tonight

I haven't figured out how to completely get rid of it but I've started telling myself that I'm a survivor and I deserve to be here. I also journal a lot and I'll go and play a game when it's bugging me too as a distraction. You are NOT evil and you deserve to be here!

Hi Hallie-having OCD & depression I can certainly relate to having to deal with intrusive thoughts-mine are often constant-I write sometimes both journal & just repeating cycles that are in my head-some of it is pretty interesting poetry-I draw & paint & often at times when my thoughts are very intrusive I draw what that "looks" like inside my head if that makes any sense. Also I do very physical things at times-strenuous uphill hiking for me usual quiets my mind some-also exercise & loud music. I find great peace with meditation at times & prayer can also help-however that is not a cure all for mental or physical illness & I feel very sad that someone that should have helped & supported you made you feel sad. Please take care & take your prn meds if you need them-that's what they are for-sending big hugs & lots of positive energy your way

Ty everyone

My therapist had me start this thing where I mentally rewind them after I have them. It's actually been very helpful.

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((((((((((hugs to you))))))))))

Have you ever tried a mandala? It's a painting you just look at and just concentrate on emptying your mind of other thoughts. You don't try to push your current thoughts out just put your full mind into the mandala. Gradually the intrusive thoughts are replaced with peace. There are many many different mandalas, you can google it and find one you like.

I color them sometimes to help with anxiety. Im out of them right now. I need to get more tomorrow. Thanks. Mandalas are so pretty.

If you have a printer there are tons of printable patterns to color on google images

I don't have one. I'll have to ask a friend

I always have to question myself if whether or not I'm having this good or bad thought because I should or if it's because of BPD. Sometimes just doing that works. But honestly, without medication it's really hard. But I guess my point is to just try to think it through.

I got my coloring book and colored pencils out again because of this post. Thank you! I hope you're feeling better today.