[Swaggyfishsticks]

I've been having violent urges and thoughts of killing people. when I had a guitar in my hand, I had the urge to hit someone with it. Is this what happens to serial killers? I don't want to be like then but I'm worried I will. I also have this strong urge to cut my throat. I've talked to my therapist, and he said it just sounds like ocd. this only happens at night. my biggest problem is that I can't tell if I want to do these things. I really need help.

[Levis Persona]

The fact that you know these things are irrational and wrong, but cannot stop/control your thoughts about them makes a strong case for OCD.

I would recommend seeing a psychiatrist, he/she can prescribe medication to help you. I am not sure of the effectiveness, but I heard that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help in some cases too. Dont be afraid to talk openly about these thoughts and urges with these people, they know that if you are coming to them for help then you are not psychotic or crazy.

[kaliope]

when i took abnormal psych, my teacher explained that these types of thoughts are normal to an extent. he used the example that his wife was getting something out of the fridge and she saw the butcher knife sitting there on the counter and he had the fleeting thought to pick it up and stab her in the back with it. he says every body experiences these types of thoughts at one time or another and they are completely normal, like driving into oncoming traffic or jumping off a bridge. i dont know if this applies to what you are talking about or not.

[Almeera]

I can relate to what you're going through. I used to have these thoughts a lot - to the point where I asked my husband to hide the knives in the kitchen every night before we went to sleep for fear I'd do something unspeakable.

I discussed this extensively with my therapist, and she assured me that these thoughts, while distressing, are not a sign that I'm going insane or at risk of becoming a serial killer (which I feared). She told me that, the more I try to reject them and "stop thinking" them, the more anxiety they cause because the mind tends to return to them regardless. She advised me to accept these thoughts as they come and detach myself from them.

Don't blame yourself for thinking these thoughts, and remember that even though they're distressing, the simple fact that they are distressing is a sure sign you're not at risk of carrying them out or becoming a psychopath. Psychopaths feel no empathy. They don't feel that their thoughts are wrong.

Stay strong. *hugs*

[Swaggyfishsticks]

I'm just not sure how much I can take. my family are being pieces of **** that try to tell me it's not a problem.

I have these sorts of thoughts from time-to-time. In my case, at least, I think they are at least somewhat the result of a build-up of generalized anxiety & fear. I think it may help if you keep talking about it with your T & perhaps keep posting about it here on PC.

Trying to ignore, or repress, thoughts such as these is not the way to go. If you can see them as just being something that many people experience &, when they come up, just let them drift away of their own accord, this may be helpful for you. Keep in mind, they are just thoughts. They have no power over you except for that which you give them.

[chasms]

yeah i experience the same things. i get intrusive thoughts about hurting people, killing myself, me getting killed, etc. i just ignore them or just observe the thoughts and let them go away

[lilstar04]

Love and compassion for others as well as yourself, conquers all evil thoughts. To hurt others is to hurt yourself. When you hurt yourself, you also hurt those who love and care for you.