One of my concerns about my obsessive thinking is will they ever go away for good? I'm willing to accept the fact that they might float in and out every once in a while when I'm stressed, etc. But will there ever be a time where they won't even creep in for just a second anymore? I mean I know it's no big deal I know what they are now, but I'm just wondering if I can ever get into the same state of mind I had before I started having panic attacks and then the obsessive thoughts. I was never scared of losing my mind or any other obsessive thinking before I started having panic attacks. I was always an anxious person, however, and didn't have high confidence in myself. I feel like it's the opposite now, I have a lot more confidence in myself but I still can't seem to totally shake these obsessive thoughts. I want to be as if I never had obsessive thoughts and make them go away for good. Just wondering if that was possible.

Dear Yak,

Great question. I believe the answer is, yes. Keep in mind that the mind spinning is a result of mis-managed stress. You are learning how to bounce off of life differently...with less stress and better coping skills, therefore, you will not have the same reaction/side effect.

Will you ever have a scary thought? Maybe. I do once in awhile. The difference is, I don't react to them with fear-then I don't get the spin...make sense?

Best regards, Carolyn

Thanx Carolyn...I think my problem is that I don't totally 100% believe that the obsessive thoughts are just distractions. I feel like I need bigger pushes to get over them. Maybe once my life feels more in order they will affect me less. I also have OCD...I have to turn lights on and off a certain # of times until I feel it is "right", theres not a definate # of times I have to do it like some people, just until it feels "right". The same goes for using my turnsignal, opening and closing doors, lighting cigarettes, etc. I don't always have to perform these rituals every single time, only if it doesn't feel right, which is a good amount of the time. I've had my OCD longer than I've had my problem with obsessive-circular thinking, if that makes any sense to you. I am just hoping that if I overcome my OCD, then my obsessive, circular thoughts will go away that much easier.

This is exactly my problem. I'm only experiencing the same scary thought and continue to wonder will it always be in and out of my mind. When I'm 50 will I still be thinking of it when I'm under stress. I wonder also if a scary thought is a distraction to me I find that hard to believe when there is really Nothing to be distracted from when I'm going to sleep or getting up in the morning thats when it happens for me anyways.

All I can say is Thank God someone else is wondering the same thing. We will be free I'm sure. Thanx for listening

Hey Butterflymom, I understand that you aren't feeling as much stress when you're lying in bed as you do when you are working. But even when you're lying in bed, there might be something subconsiously that is bothering you and you're obsessive thoughts are just a distraction from that issue. So don't let it concern you that you sometimes have them even when you aren't feeling stressed, they are a normal part of the condition. Just don't give them any power and use the information from this program and other sources to overcome them. Paxil also helps very well with obsessive thinking. I hope this gave you some insight

Tony