Obsessional thoughts anyone?
 

Does anyone here get obsessional thoughts?


My psych just diagnosed me with obsessional thoughts. I have a history of OCD but it usually revolved around me washing my hands too many times when I was anxious.
Now when I'm anxious I get these obsessional thoughts where I hear a voice (inside my head) telling me to do bad things. I get really scared and anxious that I'm going to do these bad things and as a result cannot concentrate properly.

For example I was chatting to a friend and I got an obsessional thought to hurt her (I didn't really want to hurt her because she my best friend, but the thought made me feel like I had to). As a result I stopped listening to what she was saying and became obsessed over this though and making sure I didn't do it.

Dose anyone get this?
How do you manage it? Any tips/good web sites / good books?

I get obsessional thoughts about bad things happening to people. I obsess about all the tiny details and get quite upset that world has fallen apart. I struggle to stay focussed on real conversations and the real world.

I'm not that good at coping with them so not sure what to suggest. I do try distractions and find that cognitive distractions are better but not great. I also try to catch the thoughts early on and come up with counter arguments but find I only have a short window but I'm immersed in a world I struggle to get out of.

Sorry you get these obsessional thoughts too and sorry I don't have better advice.

Did your psych have any advice?

Thanks tiptoes.

My psych told me to look it up on line. I did find this site which is ok http://www.beyondaffairs.com/article...e_thoughts.htm

These thoughts are ruling my life.
Anyone have any more advice please?

Can you tell me what you mean? I am a fantasist and live in a dream world but that wouldn't be diagnosed at mental illness though I am sick in other ways. I am like you in that what we said in the other thread about having intrusive thought about sex and I keep saying people's names and it freaks them out a lot. I didn't know anyone could hear my thoughts and when I went back to uni as a mature student I knew then they could and my brain couldn;t cope with it so the worst thing possible comes into my head and I have to live with it. I have obsessions about things but not obsessional thoughts.

I'm having thoughts of hurting my dad :(

I don't have thoughts like that but I do think you should speak to someone about this as it would obviously upset you. Pm me any time.

Part of my OCD is obsessional thoughts, too.
Some are very intrusive, and extreme, and distressing.

I think for me, reassuring yourself that these are just that; thoughts, helps.

Also, saying to yourself that you would never engage in what you are thinking about, that it is just part of your symptoms, and it isn't anything to do with who you are as a person.

Are you being offered any therapy to help you cope with these thoughts? CBT can be quite useful for this, too.

Just know you aren't alone.
x

Thanks guys I appreciate your support.

Cryptic - I am not currently in therapy but I have had CBT for an ED and bipolar so I could get a book and transfer the skills. Thanks for the suggestion.