I was just wondering if anyone else is having scary, obsessive thoughts. I am...big time. I hate it! They are definitely the major cause of my anxiety. Once I get one scary idea in my mind, it spirals completely out of control to the point where I am in a panic attack or crawled up into a ball, crying. If anyone else can relate, please let me know!

Yes I can related. And I'm starting to learn that I do it more when there's something in my life that needs attention. Something I'm distracting myself from. I'm not sure if that could be the case for you but once I started realizing that and trying to face all my feelings and problems head on, I get the obesessive distracting thoughts less.

Hi jmm,
You are not alone! I am the queen of obsessive, scary thoughts. Last week, I had a terrible bout - I had a scary thought for every possible situation. I was so overwhelmed, I curled up under my blanket and cried hysterically. Then I obsessed some more. It was horrible!

Many of us with anxiety suffer from obsessive thoughts as well. The obsessions can take many forms, and I won't go into them because I don't want to create another obsession for you. If you need to talk, please feel comfortable posting in the forums (everyone is very, very supportive) or feel free to email me. I've been there and maybe I can help.

I hope you find peace soon - my heart goes out to you.

Hugs,
Lisa

Does anyone else find these symptoms occur more often around their "cycle"???

Oh yes, our monthly cycles can increase anxiety/obsessive thoughts. Usually a week before my cycle, I can tell it's approaching because my mood swings and panic are off the hook!

Hello. I have defiantely had my HUGE share of the scary thoughts battles. I have learned that by focusing on the "why did that go through my mind to begin with" aspect of the thoughts, we are just fueling them to become an obsession. It is hard to do, but with each one that comes you have to give it no merit, let it pass right through your head, do not pause and try to figure it out..Even if a million of them a day go through, let them pass without thinking about them. Also, look at what is going on in your life that is causing you stress that you may need to face so that your mind can rest.

Chrystal

Thanks Lisa..thats exactly the same time frame I've noticed! Man it's great to hear it's not just me! I'm trying hard with the program (finishing 4 today) and seeing a therapist. I see improvment, and am trying to praise myself for the positive changes I've noticed. It's just all a tad bit more difficult around "this time".lol...thanks for the support!!

quote:

Originally posted by hopefullinme:
Does anyone else find these symptoms occur more often around their "cycle"???

YES!! In fact I have gotten better the last few months and it seems like this is the only time mine happen any more.

Thanks Faith! Now THAT is something to look forward to! I appreciate your feedback!

jmm764 I have battled scary obbsesive thoughts for years. They come and go. Once a therapist gave me something to read when I got obbsessive thoughts. I don't have it in front of me now. But it said something like: "I am having obessive thoughts now. It is not my fault. It is do to a chemical problem in my brain... I do not bring these thoughts on myself but they come because of OCD..." It said something to that effect.

I'm telling you, after I read that it really did help diminish my uninvited obbsessive thinking. I'm sure there is something online that would say the same thing.

I am sad because I find myself going into the same patterns I did years ago. I am beginning a friendship a gain with a guy who has known me for almost 30 years. He sees my obsessive side again and says "that is so y ou." I was h oping the old me would not pop up anymore.

Thanks a lot everyone for replying to me! You were all so helpful. 2007, don't get upset if you feel like your "old self" is popping back up. If it bothers you, and you recognize it, then you can take action to push it away. For anyone else who has scary, obsessive thoughts, I've discovered that it helps me to tell my scary thoughts that they do not scare me anymore. I kind of yell at them in my mind. Once they pop up, I just laugh and say "Well if you are here to scare me, that's fine because you don't scare me anymore." It seems to help if I just keep repeating that to myself once they pop up. Hang in there everyone!

Oh and Lisa, thanks for the support! The same to you...if you feel the need for extra support, don't hesitate. I'm sorry that you've experienced obsessive thoughts that scare that much, but then again, it's nice to know that I am not the only one. And I hope you see that with me as well.

quote:

Originally posted by jmm764:
Once they pop up, I just laugh and say "Well if you are here to scare me, that's fine because you don't scare me anymore." It seems to help if I just keep repeating that to myself once they pop up. Hang in there everyone!

That does work!! I have been doing that same thing. Or I even try to make them worse. One will pop up and I'll say in my head. . ."oh, that's a good one! But you can do better than that!! Come on, let's find something REALLY scary!" LOL it's great when you can get to that point.

I do have my moments still but they don't last for days like they used to. I don't let myself get drawn in. In the past I'd start researching things and spend all this time and energy trying to see if I had mental illnesses and such. It's definitely not worth the trouble! But then after I stopped that this past week I had a worry or two about my health and that's something I've not had before. After doing that for a few hours I got myself to an anxiety attack and then realized. . hey, if you're giving yourself a panic attack over this, it's probably JUST anxiety and not real. And once I breathed through the panic attack and stopped and thought about what it was I was freaking myself out about, I had a good laugh at myself for doing that again.

It's easy to slip into old patterns, and sometimes if you overcome one such thought, your mind will make up a different one. There must be a part of me that really enjoys scaring myself, but I'm going to change that!

This is my first time on here. I feel very desperate. I have severe panic and I pretty much understand it but when it happens I scare myself. I haven't had a bad attack in a month or so and yesterday I was sitting at my dest at work and it felt like something grabbed my had and I felt this pressure,no pain, just pressure like I was going to pass out. This was a new symptom and it was out of the blue. So now, I am a basket case. Can't eat, sleep, think, focus.....nothing. I keep feeling this wierd tingling in my head. Is it a real tingling or is it ME making myself have symptoms (i do that often)? I have been taking xanax but that doesn't take away the worry. I don't know what to do. I called my doctor and she said to make an appt. next week. Right there I know I'm ok, but I DON'T feel ok.

Hi there Dalton,

I am so sorry you're feeling so bad. Panic attacks come with a variety of physical symptoms. I also get the tingling sensation on my scalp. My eyes twitch, stomach knots up, vision blurs, etc.

Unfortunately, once a panic attack hits, you begin to worry and anticipate another one. I know when my panic hit an all time high a couple of months ago, all I did was anticipate the next one, and on and on.

Try to recognize that the physical symptoms, albeit uncomfortable, are part of the anxiety. You are not dying - this is very normal. Try to breathe deeply. Go back to the doctor next week. Maybe the Xanax is not working for you, so there may be something else that will.

Also, I've heard that this works for some people: challenge yourself to have a panic attack. Tell your mind, "go ahead, I can handle it! It's only panic - I won't die from it and it'll go away!" It's almost like you're psyching yourself up for the big game.

Most important, be good to yourself. If you need any help, there's many supportive people in here.

Lisa