[marypickford]

Does any other bipolar deal with these? they have come back to haunt me after being free of them for about 2 years. i just started college again. could this be why? what do you do to make them go away?? any different meds? it's all so frustrating!

[mortimer]

Anxiety can cause them I, maybe that's what's wrong? There are anti anxiety meds out there. You know what the problem is (Starting school again) so now you can quickly get going to get at fixing it. Don't colleges offer free counseling and support groups? I'm not sure, look into your options. Good luck!

[Myzen]

Hi Mary,

I've noticed that the thoughts start up when there is something I don't want to do. It's like having a negative parrot on my shoulder.

The only answer I have found is to go through it. Once the parrot knows you're not going to buckle, he usually flies away.

Cheers, Myzen

[krzyk101]

Yes, I am bipolar I with mixed states and deal with and am currently being treated. Recently diagnosed with OCD in addition to the Bipolar I diagnosis my treatment involves, Psychiatriatrist, medicatiion managament, Case Management services and Individual Therapy.

You said you have been free of this for over 2 years? Did you or are you recievieng professional services for this or other MI? If so, I would let them know of the relapse of the obsessive thoughts and what you feel is the trigger being school. If you are no longer being monitored or recieving professional services, I would encourage for you to consider doing so.

If this has been an issue for you in the past and now is returning, I know for myself once it begins (the obsesive thoughts) then it only escalates out of control for me without professional help.

Welcome to the Forums, this is a good resourse and support group. I would in addition strongly suggest for you to return to the person or persons who helped you overcome the obsessive disorder in the past if possible. Sorry for the long post just having really intense feelings right now. Take care.

[sqrlb8]

Intrusive and obsessive thoughts, to me, are not always the same. After reading your post, I wondered if there might be a trauma lurking back there somewhere triggering PTSD symptoms, of which "intrusive" thoughts is prominent. This plagues me from time to time in the way Myzen describes. But "obsessive" thoughts referred to in another response, seem to me to be different.

So, as to intrusive thoughts, I have found no way to "stop" them, but I "deal" with them pretty much the way Myzen describes. Another analogy to the parrot, might be to reverse the energy as in the Aikido principle of self defense. It means that instead of resisting the thought, stiff arming it away, to let it be, embrace it as it were, and it will move on on its own sooner than if I struggle vainly against it. Sometimes it means I can't do the thing today that is triggering the situation. Just depends.

As to your first question, do other bi polars suffer from these, well my oh my yes. Comparing notes with other bi polars here has shown me just how chameleon like this disorder is, it seems to be able to carry symptoms from all the other columns. Ah, yes, we got the full meal deal to be sure.

Hope that's of at least slightly more than zero use to you. There is such good support here, you've landed in a good spot to get your mind around the nature of the beast. Welcome.