[LyingSweetie]

I don't know if this is a part of having depression or bad self esteem or just something people get, but... do you ever get periods where every single bad memory you ever had, a look someone gave you yesterday, a silly little argument you had 5 years ago, something bad you did 10 years ago, etc.. seemingly EVERYTHING.. just crowds into your head all together and swirls around and around and won't leave you alone and you start crying, its so overwhelming, and you can't think and you think you're going crazy and you just want it to stop? what do you do to make it stop? I want your stories and advice..

[agma]

I kInow exactly what you are talking about; however, unfortunately I also don't know what to do about it. I have a couple bad memories in particular which seem to be popping up a lot lately, and they were something that happened 3 years ago when I was in the hospital. I usually just try to distract myself or think about something else when I am having these memories. Sometimes it works, but not always.

[LadeeJunebug]

Oh boy! I know exactly what you're saying!
My last attack, like yours, happened about 2 weeks ago... in the shower, no less.
You start thinking of one negative thing that happened, maybe yesterday... a month ago... 20 years ago... that leads to another... then another... and before you know it your head is spinning. Then the tears start, you feel like you are coming apart. "When does it stop!" you're mind is screaming!
I've been there sooo many times over the years, it's not funny.
The one thing that has stayed with me from my therapist, is talk therapy. Let me see if I can explain it right.
Using my episode as example... I had to mentally tell myself to knock it off! Let it go! Then quickly switch to thinking about what's good in my life. Watch only happy things, if you are a tv buff, comedies, Golden Girls is always good... stay away from anything negative as much as you can. When you start with those thoughts, don't let them continue... stop them in thier tracks. Try to journal... maybe writing these thoughts down when you have them, will help you to release the pressure some.
Come here and vent... go outside and just have a good scream.
You are not a lone.

[turquoisesea]

wow!!!! I get that too!!! I've had that kind of thing happen since I was a little kid. i'd remember having moments where they'd all flash, especially embarrasing moments when I was a kid and I'd just feel so embarrased, and I would be afraid of making more moments like that because those moments would last longer. *what a little kid way of looking at it :P*

last night I had bad memories of lots of stuff all at once, I couldn't escape them.


Some coping skills to work with them are to remind yourself they are in the past. Grounding skills are very helpful here... there are so many types of this. Focusing really hard on your surroundings and describing them in your head is on. Like, "I am sitting on a wooden chair, near a desk, in front of my computer. The wall infront of me is white and there is a weird shape to one part of the room... etc"

I'm sure there are a bunch posted around here somewheres. I don't have time to look right now but look up grounding skills and it might help =)

[thetheft]

That happens to me, and when I try to talk about it, my friends just think I'm weird and that I should get over it... That doesn't help.

[amity]

Memories relate to the past;& that past has passed.Tell yourself "I am glad it is behind me--everybody commits mistakes or has been wronged by someone.Am i someone special that it should not happen to me?I shall take care that it does not happen in future.And what are 1,2,or even 4,5 memories in a lifespan of-- your age x 365 days ?"
Just concentrate on the present.Stop focusing on the dismal aspects of your life.Take heart,life is not all bad.
You can get more help from "Beat the blues" http://jeeteraho.blogspot.com