Butterflymom


This evening I seem to be doing ok. Thank you very much for asking. Everyday seems to be an up and down rollercoaster not sure if you can relate.

My fears seem to change all the time. I am not really consumed with the hurting myself fear right now. I am more focused on my mental state and if I have a mental illness.

Is this all part of this crazy disorder? Sometimes I feel like I have gone mad and that I have reached the point of no return.This all probably sounds wierd, but this is how I have been feeling for the past couple of weeks.

Dear jjR,
I too had the exact type intrusive, scary thoughts that totallly consumed me resulting in a near breakdown. I was losing the ability to function and thought I had to live this way. I was told I had O.C.D. and that people with this type of O.C.D. rarely recover. I was feeling completely hopeless and became very depressed until I found this program and read From Panic to Power.
Dear jjr, please believe and trust me when I say that you can rid yourself of these thoughts forever. The socalled medical professionals who diagnosed me where dead ass wrong. YOU CAN RECOVER COMPLETELY AND DISCOVER A SENSE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM YOU NEVER HAD. Because these thoughts create s much anxiety means you are of very sound mind. These thoughts do not create anxiety or depression in individuals who are pathological, ect.. Also, did you know that research found that 95 % of humans have scary and obsessive thoughts? One of the reasons it affects us is that we are very sensitive cratures. Everyone has obscure automatic thoughts that drift in and out of our brains. Again, we are sensitive creatures. Have you began the program? If you did then you'll find a number of individuals who completely rid themselves of these thoughts in tape #10 including Lucnda Bassett. Keep replacing the se thoughts in your spiral notebook when they surface and replace them with real rartional responses. Treat yourself like your own best freind and you'll find new self-confidence and power that is life long lasting. Good luck and keep working towards recovering completely. It is possible and right around the corner. God bless you.

jjr,

I totally understand what you're going through and you're NOT CRAZY! Sometimes it seems like I can't control my thoughts, but a little tip in Lesson #3 has helped me tremendously. Lucinda suggested that when we have these thoughts (negative, scary, strange, obsessive), to picture a big red "STOP" sign and say to your self "Are these thoughts VALID?" Usually they aren't and when I do this I realize how untrue they are. That's when I immediately say to my self "O.K. then - STOP IT!" That seems to work. It's such a simple thing and it took a little practice, but I find that when I take a firm approach with myself, I become more apt to challenge my thoughts, which makes me think DIFFERENTLY. I think that's the key here. I have found it sooo incredibly challenging to change the way I've always thought about things. I believe there's a quote in our workbook that states "If you think the way you've always thought, you'll feel the way you've always felt". That's been a real reminder for me and I'm now taking a few minutes each day to just relax, close my eyes and think soothing positive thoughts. I repeatedly picture words like: calm, peace,soothing,love, etc... Believe me - the more you think about something, the more you believe it, so when we start to think about the good things in life, we start to feel better.
Sue-z-q

[This message has been edited by Suzie-q (edited 07-14-2001).]

Hi JJR.

Great I'm glad your feeling better.

I felt the exact same way as you I thought for sure there was something wrong with me mentally. But its interesting the more people give you advise on this forum the better off you feel. Its was a God send for me I'll tell ya that. So keep posting with all your feelings and learn from all the great advice your friends get give you.

I feel a thousand times better just from this forum and reading Panic to Power.

The advice from Michael and Susie is excellent thats how you get to where you WILL be, or at least knowing when these thoughts pass through your mind you can say ya so what and keep on going. Thats where I am today, of course there are times when I think to myself oh man not that thought again but its ok I keep on Keeping on!!
Thanks Everyone for listening