[dwodz880]

Everyday I see things like me taking a knife and slicing my throat or cutting down my arms or stabbing my chest. I also get really weird compulsions to stab myself in the throat when I'm holding a pencil, or knife. Sometimes I get compulsions to scratch myself. Or to run out onto a busy road when I'm out with my friends on Friday nights. I resist hurting myself, but I can't control the thoughts or images. I'm a bit worried I may act upon the urge to do these things. I really just want to ask if anyone has any idea what is going on. Or if any one else experiences this stuff.

[kaliope]

well, when i was taking abnormal psychology, my teacher said it is perfectly normal to have the thoughts of jumping off a bridge or driving into oncoming traffic. these types of thoughts just pop automatically into our minds. lots of struggling people will automatically have thoughts of self harm. i think these are along the same vein my teacher was talking about. so the thoughts you are having could be perfectly normal if they just come randomly on occasion. however if they are constantly on your mind and you are having trouble fighting them off and you find them disturbing, then you may want to seek help for them to get to the root of the matter.

[*Laurie*]

I call what you've described, dwodz880, "intrusive thoughts". I believe such thoughts, when they are in excess and disturb your normal life, are symptomatic of an anxiety disorder and are sometimes an aspect of OCD. I have battled with such intrusive thoughts all of my life, as many people do. Sometimes the thoughts are about hurting something or someone I love very much, even though I know I wouldn't really hurt them. It's as though my mind is overcompensating for the strong feeling of love by threatening me...as if my mind is saying, "You're going to hurt or kill that someone you love so much."

Intrusive thoughts are miserable to experience. There are a number of ways to deal with such thoughts. Sometimes medications help, sometimes therapy helps, and so on. I found this page - don't know who the guy is, but the page is helpful. And there is a ton of info online about how to cope with intrusive thoughts if you Google the question.
Martin N. Seif, PH.D. Clinical Psychologist Anxiety Disorders Treatment - Resources

[gayleggg]

My therapist used to call the Day Terrors. I used to have them regarding my daughter. If she were away from me I would have flashes of seeing her run over by a car or falling on a stick, etc. They were leaving me very upset, short of breath and panic stricken. I still have them sometimes but not as often. I'm not sure what made them be more infrequent but I'm sure glad that they have gotten better.