[SoupDragon]

I sometimes have negative / teasing / goading thoughts that don't feel like they are mine - well I know they are as they are in my head, but it feels like a bit of my brain that is just out to destroy me that I can't control. Sometimes these thoughts control my body as well, like they will get me to say something and there is this other bit of me that feels more like the real "me" that is standing watching, wondering why on earth my mouth is saying those things. Just wondered whether anyone else experiences similar?

[Hellion]

I can kind of relate to that, except its not usually saying things I can't control.......its more actions. I more get times when something upsets me which can trigger me to get a bit out of control......but then its more I am watching trying to hold back from breaking things, throwing things or causing other harm. Its like I have to try and pull myself back into myself to at least get some control over it......but I am always afraid of 'what if I can't hold it back next time.' Well then again come to think of it there have been times I can't stop going on about something even when I really want to.

I often get negative thoughts too, I am having them right now in fact, It is like a cycle with me and funny enough this is something I was working on in therapy and it is hard to change the way I think, It is my first time in therapy and when my T explains this stuff to me about replacing negative thoughts with positive ones I find it impossible.

[SoupDragon]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Hellion, it is hard to stop things at times isn't it?

I think these things all take practice Tinks - it is like someone can tell us how to drive a car, but it takes lots and lots of practice to get it right. It can be hard work though can't it? Particularly when the thoughts are very strong.

Soup

[brackenbeard]

thought changing. you gotta believe in a thought that changes that negative thought around.

i'm worthless -- you're a great guy

[thickntired]

Hi Soup D.

I talked to my pdoc about the negative thoughts I have and she said that it's part of my OCD which prozac helps.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

Sometimes these thoughts control my body as well, like they will get me to say something and there is this other bit of me that feels more like the real "me" that is standing watching, wondering why on earth my mouth is saying those things. Just wondered whether anyone else experiences similar?

Oh, and I also have had problems speaking out loud while I tell myself in my head "Do Not Say That." It is like temporary tourettes syndrome or something. And the more serious the setting the more I'm tempted to act out. Like when we all had dinner with the CEO of one of the companies I worked for. I was insulting towards him and spoke out of turn

[Coma Patient 7]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell..

I often get negative thoughts too, I am having them right now in fact, It is like a cycle with me and funny enough this is something I was working on in therapy and it is hard to change the way I think, It is my first time in therapy and when my T explains this stuff to me about replacing negative thoughts with positive ones I find it impossible.

Here's one that may help you get a hold. Imagine a 9v battery touching your tongue, can you feel it? Now try imagining your on the beach, the ocean is the most spectacular shade of blue you've ever seen, you can feel sand between your toes, a cool breeze blowing from the ocean, can you feel it? Try to remember a memory, one that makes you really happy, how does it feel?

With a little practice it becomes much easier. There are other tricks you can use as well. Looking at the emotion, putting it aside works well when you tell yourself something similar to "this is not my burden to carry". It's really what ever you are comfortable with using to deal with that emotion. Once it's dealt with, then add in your positive thought.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

... Sometimes these thoughts control my body as well, like they will get me to say something and there is this other bit of me that feels more like the real "me" that is standing watching, wondering why on earth my mouth is saying those things. Just wondered whether anyone else experiences similar?

For me it's the opposite of that, in some ways. I'll watch myself choose to do something that's contrary to what I think would be "a good idea", but somehow it'll turn out better than the alternative. I said a little more about that here:

I'm likely to surprise myself in either direction: "There's not much happening online right now and I don't feel tired. I think I'll put in a couple of hours on my tax accounting." OR: "How can I be going to hear music when I'm not done with my taxes yet and the deadline is only two days away?" (but I go anyway.)

I used to identify with the part of me that knew what was a "good idea" and what wasn't -- the part that would demand, "How can I be going to hear music when I'm not done with my taxes yet...?" No taxes, no music; fair is fair; let that be a lesson to me; etc., etc. When I'd regularly go along with that part of me, though, I'd tend to end up feeling more resentful and oppressed than "together" and virtuous. I did all the right things; I'm supposed to be happy now; I don't feel happy, though, so what on earth is wrong with me?

When I'm satisfied that I chose to do whatever I did, even though it wasn't what I would've called a good idea, I somehow manage to make it work out in a way where I can live happily with the result. In this case, the one who did the choosing seems like "the real me" and the one who thought it wasn't the thing to do, feels more like a backseat driver to me.