[CopperStar]

Outside of medication, what sorts of things do people do to prevent and/or cope with intrusive thought problems?

My latest one is that whenever I have to walk down a flight of stairs, I imagine myself falling and terrible things happening. I physically tense up and feel anxious, and have to move down the stairs very slowly and awkwardly. I live in a three story structure at the moment, so I deal with this daily.

What sort of thing would a person in this scenario do to help with this? Are there like, mental exercises or something?

[M3233]

That sounds like a pain. OCD sucks, doesn't it? Usually you use CBT to deal with OCD therapy wise. Are you slowing down because you physically have to since you are tense or are you slowing down just because you are scared you are going to fall? Are you currently working with a therapist? If not I highly suggest you start. Also since you get physically tense, some breathing exercises might help you too.

[CopperStar]

The thoughts just hit me out of nowhere, and it's like I actually experiencing falling down the stairs. I feel a jolt of adrenaline and my body tenses up. It's like it really happens and I can see it and everything. So then I'm like, going down the stairs all tense and slow trying to prevent what feels like is inevitable, even though I know it's not. I already work myself through it in the sense that I do still make it down the stairs, but it happens so fast that I feel like I need to figure out how to prevent it in the first place. I also feel like working on the stairs issue is pointless, because I know my mind will quickly replace it. It's always something. Like tensing up and hesitating crossing the street because I get a sudden, intrusive thought that the cars are going to hit me, or having to avoid the walnut tree because a walnut is going to fall and crack me in the head. Just endless, dumb thoughts, but my body reacts to all of them.

[M3233]

I'm sorry! If you aren't working with a therapist, I highly suggest you do as they can help greatly. I know it's hard, but you'll make it through!

I also recommend working with a therapist. I saw 2 different therapists at the same time before inpatient to try and help my intrusive thoughts. They are terrible. SSRI's have also given me relief.

So what I have learned, observe the thought for what it is. This intrusive image/thought/feeling is just a thought, it cannot hurt me, it has no power over me. Thats just basic CBT. It can go on "Im having this thought because OCD finds my worst fears and shows them to me, it does not mean it will come true, it does not mean I am insane or evil, I just have these silly thought that I can dismiss and have no ill come to me". Get the picture?

Its like convincing yourself its just a thought and the only reason it distresses us is because we give it power. It takes months not to have every single thing distress you when you're in the pits of it, but it can be overcome. Not saying its easy, but therapy is a good way.