[raspberrytorte]

Anyone else have these?

They've been really bothering me lately. Like I'll be starting to walk down stairs and suddenly have these thoughts that I'm going to trip and break my neck. Or I'll see someone sitting somewhere up high and see them falling backwards and dying. Or we'll be driving and I'll see a car in the other lane swerving into ours and hitting us.

Just stuff like that.

[gayleggg]

I've been known to have those kind of thoughts. I, especially, had them when my child was small and I would flash and see her hit by a car or something. I feel for you. I know how troublesome they can be. Just remember they are just thoughts and will go away in a second.

[leejosepho]

I have always had these kinds of thoughts, and I am usually able to make use of them as cautions for myself and others...such as when realizing the windshield deflecting air at highway speed can lead to an illusion of there actually being no wind at all. Sometimes these thoughts do lead to my being troubled, however, such as when "someone sitting somewhere up high" (your illustration) either laughs or just ignores the caution when I might say something like "Hey, be careful up there!" But the ones that have since stopped that I used to find quite troubling were thoughts of what might have happened if something had not worked out as it already had.

you're not alone

[raspberrytorte]

Thanks for the responses.

I never used to have them to this extent before. I had them a little bit. But now they bother me all of the time.

If you're not utilizing them to your advantage, does anyone know how you can get rid of them? Or how do you cope with them?

Maybe I should talk to my therapist about it.

[leejosepho]

It was not difficult for me to conclude it was irrational for me to be concerned about what might have happened if something had not worked out as it already had, so there is where I began trying to believe something or someone greater than us all might actually be watching out for me. Having that kind of belief does not keep all thoughts of this type from ever entering my mind, but it does give me somewhere to go with them when they do.

[hopeless2015]

My therapist told me once that thoughts are just thoughts there not always real or reality. Sometimes when I'm having these kind of thoughts I have to remind myself it's not real, it was just a thought and let it go. Sometime when there bad I ask myself why do I have these kind of thoughts, they are upsetting but I just have to let it go....it wasn't real

[Moose72]

ItThey are startling but not harmful. If you feel you'll harm yourself or others of course seek help. I've had these for years. Twice I was post partum

[Elio]

Yes, I have these types of thoughts frequently - multiple times a day. Most the time I can flow with them... just let them come in and out. Sometimes they scare/startle me. One of the ones last night lead me change my walk and move my focus away from part of my environment.

I also have violent thoughts towards myself and others.

[Coconutzo]

I get these, and they feel so real. I'll find myself reacting to them like wincing or slapping my hands over my mouth. My boyfriend will catch me and kindly remind me that I have PRNs for when I start spinning. (Also he says that I watched too much Ren and Stimpy as a kid Because most commonly I'm getting dragged behind a car with my teeth and or legs grinding down to stumps)They also seem to multiply rapidly once they start.

[franz kafka]

Yup. My docs tell me everyone gets them, the problem just comes in when you find them distressing and give the power. I have OCD so I yield to rituals that neutralize these intrusive thoughts rather often.

[venusss]

I used to get them a lot.

The thing is... they are just thoughts.

What helped me a lot was when I learned how common they are. Many people get them. Even the effed up violent ones.

Also, White Chesnut Bach flower essence targets these.

[Faltering]

I have intrusive thoughts all the time. I think about all the inappropriate things I could do like pushing someone in front of me or crashing my car into a guardrail.

[Unrigged64072835]

I get them quite a bit. I can usually reason my way out of them. Or just realize they are not what is currently going on.

[BipolaRNurse]

I get those pretty often. When I do, I visualize a big STOP sign and tell myself to do exactly that. It usually works.

[hermitix]

Yes, and they can be quite disturbing. It was worse when I wasn't on medication for bipolar.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I get those pretty often. When I do, I visualize a big STOP sign and tell myself to do exactly that. It usually works.

This is a good idea. I'm going to try this. Thanks!

[Moose72]

Yes I think I'll try the STOP sign too!

My instructive thoughts are often different and embarrassing and just won't stop invading my head space. It's all negative crap and nothing I can do anything about but it won't stop playing like a broken record in my head.