Intrusive thoughts

I have a quick question for those people currently dealing with intrusive thoughts. Since May of last year I have been dealing with obsessive thoughts of suicide, and last month I even made an appointment for therapy which is scheduled for the 11th of February. Except for the last 4 days or so I barely had any thoughts and found myself worrying less and less about them. Do you think that I should still go ahead with the therapy, I'm afraid that if I don't go they will come back yet when i think about the appointment that seems to provoke the thoughts to start coming again. What is your opinion?

Hello Chris: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to Psych Central.

To answer your question, I would say, yes, go to your appointment. Suicidal thoughts are nothing to mess around with. And I think you are correct. Although they may have subsided for now, they could well return. Based on what you wrote, it sounds as though anxiety may be something that triggers your suicidal thoughts. And, while perhaps your level of anxiety (& thus your suicidal thoughts, may be lower at the moment, both could easily ramp back up later on.

It's much better, in my opinion at least, to be proactive about such things rather than to wait until you're struggling & then try to find someone to help you. Plus, not every therapist works well with every client. The therapist you'll be seeing in February may or may not be someone you'll feel comfortable with. And, if by some chance s/he is not, you'll have time to continue to search for one you will feel good about. If you wait, you may lose that flexibility.

Here are links to 8 articles, from Psych Central's archives, that offer advice for handling suicidal thoughts as well as on managing intrusive thoughts, the first by our host Dr. John Grohol, Psy.D.:

Suicidal? Don't Throw Away Your Shot

How to Survive Suicidal Thoughts

9 Ways to Let Go of Stuck Thoughts

9 Ways to Free Yourself from Ruminations

5 Ways to Free Yourself From Dark and Obsessive Thoughts

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/relat...yre-addictive/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/relat...dium=popular17

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/relat...-brain-part-3/

I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

I'm so sorry you're struggling, Chris1245 I'd suggest to go ahead with your therapy either way. That way, you'll learn new ways to cope with these thougths if they should come back again. And if they don't come back, good for you! But I think it's best to be prepared in case it does happen. So yes, I'd suggest to talk to your therapist about this about this and see how it goes from there. I hope you'll better soon Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

I say go to the appointment so as not to be able to get another appt in the future too. Get the thoughts under control as soon as possible.