I have intrusive thoughts at the moment and I dont know how to deal with them. The intrusive thoughts are about suicide, and they are really distressing me, they are the first thought I have when I wake up. They are even there when Im feeling positive. But when Im down, I am more tempted to go along with them and act on them. I have told my social worker (who specialises in mental health) and she hasnt really helped as she doesnt come from a medical background. I have talked to my psychotherapist about it, and he has suggested mindfullness exercises where I concentrate on the breath, but it doesnt work for me.
What works for other people? I just want to be rid of them because they are really bothering me, or if I cant get totally rid of them, I want to not be bothered by them as much.
My therapist does mindfullness, too. Maybe try an easier exercise? Like picking up a random object and concentrating on it for one minute, noticing the texture and colors and shapes. I don't know if it'll help, but it might be worth trying. Is there anything you can do to distract yourself? I'm sorry I don't really know how to help. I hope it gets better for you. xxxxxx
I have similar intrusive thoughts/images/etc. I have found it really hard to find something to combat them too, and various doctors have suggested things that have and have not helped, so I'll list a few in case they do help you.
Firstly, grounding techniques. I can find you something to read if you're not sure what they are. These can be good if the thoughts/etc have gotten so bad that you feel out of yourself and bombarded and like you don't know what's real and what's not.
What has helped me most is distraction. From basic games like ABCs of animals or something, to having a chat, reading, etc.
Changing the mood with lively music can help.
Exercise to music
Draw pictures
Tell someone what you are seeing.
Have you ever tried replacing the thoughts with other onces? Like when you think "I want to die" think "I want to die now but I also want to see if I can get through this and live" (or the short version: "I want to live".
I find cold showers can help as a great distraction.
What helps me ost with distraction is to engage in something with someone else, like a heated debate or just talking about anything really.
Aim not to get rid of them completely, firstly aim to just reduce them a little bit at a time. Don't set yourself a goal you can't meet. None of the techniques may work at first, or they might all work, it takes time and energy to get them to work.
I wish I had some suggestions, but I just wanted to let you know I can relate. I get intrusive thoughts that are basically really negative thoughts about myself - IE: I'm a bad person, evil, worthless, etc. Just over and over again, like a constant loop. It makes it really hard for me to concentrate on things and does a number on my self-esteem...
I hope you feel better, and I'm going to take some of the suggestions into account too.
Hiya when I feel this way I make myself go out walk or anything, if I can't go out I go to where kids are and hold them or play.
Don't know your situation sorry but hope your ok?
i wanted to reply because i can SO relate to this. for many years i was plagued by intrusive thoughts and i thought i was going to lose it. i was finally diagnosed properly and medicated properly and these intrusive thoughts have really decreased. i finally have some relief from them.
one of the things that helps me not personalize the thoughts is to remind myself that it's the disorder creating these thoughts, not me. i am not bad or evil because i have these thoughts.
the other thing that seems to help (and it is hard to do) is to say the thought/image out loud to someone who cares. it gives the thought/image less power.
in general, because the thoughts are very anxiety provoking, doing something to use up energy (running, biking, swimming, dancing) is helpful.
hope this helps somewhat.
you're not alone.
PM me if you want to talk about it more personally.
Last edited by quiet1 : 25-04-2009 at 06:56 PM.
Reason: added something
