Is there anyone else out there that cant seem to get over the "I think Im going crazy" part?? I mean, I know I get those thoughts when I am exhausted and stressed out...those seem to be the hard days. But, even though I know better, the thoughts keep coming! I hate it!!
The doctors tried all kinds of meds, its all in my head....as Lucinda says, I do it to myself. If there is anyone out there that has figured out a specific positive self talk statement or anything else that helped them, please share!!!

I've never had the thoughts that I'm going crazy, but I have had the thought that I'm dying and it was in my head as you descibed, so gosh darn persistant. The best thing that I could do at first was to completely get my mind on something else. Put in a good movie, especially comedy. Not only will you be focused on the film but you'll be laughing and smiling as well and this helps. Try getting an inspiration book and taking it out whenever and try to focus on what you're reading, I mean really be there. Then sooner or later when you've gotten your grip on it, you're gonna have to accept the thought. Like Lucinda says, "well, okay, so I'm going nuts. What does that mean? What will happen if I go nuts? What's the worst thing that will happen if I go nuts?" Then ask yourself all those same questions and add completely silly answers to them. "so what's the worst thing that will happen if I go nuts?' " Well, I might run around the mall in an tarzan outfit, and act like a monkey" You get the point. You're suppose to do this over and over. Do you have the program? This sort of help has helped me with the dying thoughts, I'm not afraid of dying almost at all anymore. And I don't think about hardly ever. Good luck to you. Also, put in Lucinda's relaxation tape whenever these thoughts come and you can't break them. And listen to other relaxing music and the like. Pick up a book and concetrate, Battlefield of the Mind, The Quiet Mind, What to Say When You Talk To Yourself- or anything that you know will grab your attention!

Lately all I think is that I'm going crazy. Over and over it's "something is wrong wtih my brain!" It's probably focusing on the negative- if I took them away, I won't have any left! LOL.
I've just got to come out of this. I don't think people or I can stand this anymore. I feel so helpless and hopeless all the time.

Dear Bev:
I am sorry that you feel so badly!

I think you are going to be okay. Of course you are not going crazy. You are just freightened of your feelings.
Feelings can lie, you know.

In fact when you have anxiety, feelings lie most of the time!

Today, while your mom is there, draw yourself a warm, not hot, bath. Light a candle if you have one, and dim the light if you can. And rest in that warm water.
While doing that talk to yourself.
Say: "I am okay. I am calm and at peace.
I will trust in a God that I can understand.
The God that is greater than me is taking my fears. I release my fear to that Power. I am calm. I will rest my mind now".

Be blessed! I will pray for you off and on throughout the day.
May you find comfort and peace!!
MaryJane

WereGTMI,
I agree with the previous posts and it has been my experience too, that when I get to a point where I can think I am going crazy, " hey I'm overwhelmed ,tired ,need sleep, rest, or something along those lines. Time for the relaxation tape ."

Yes, this is my one constant fear that seems to alway be present. Had my first anxiety attack at 18, and felt like I was going insane and the feelings to a lesser or greater degree have stayed with me ever since. Over the years, my anxiety has morphed to certain objects, colors, etc., but the absolute knee shaking anxiety is the fear of going insane. Only followed by fear of death and dying like Staying Positive posted. Then the thoughts are what is life, why am I here and the circle of anxiety begins again. My imagination even takes me into a locked facility, etc. As others have indicated, I will look up the symptoms of some serious psy. disorder and convince myself that I have the symptoms. Then wait for the voices, etc. Have not started yet. I remember on one of the tapes that someone would take a longer road just to avoid a mental hospital. Yes indeed. No easy answers here, except that you are not alone and though I constantly worry about my sanity, have been worring about it all my adult life and seem to be ok so far. While I know it is a real waste of time and regret the same, cannot seem to move beyond this fear. It does take the wind out of my sail everytime it comes and it comes almost daily, but I recognize that it is anxiety and only anxiety. I am trying to replace the negative thinking with a comforting thought that my inner child is just reacting to a fear and that it will pass like it always does. Keep us posted and if others have suggestions, I too would really welcome some thoughts as this is what brought me to the program Best

The thought of going crazy is VERY typical for anxiety sufferers. Take it from an old timer whose been there thousands of times.
Your not crazy and you wont go crazy either
even when your at your wits end with this crap
God ALWAYS reels you back in.

Cornflower,
The bath was a wonderful idea. I got myself together with my mom here- got over that going crazy feeling. I am so fortunate to have someone who will drop everything and drive 4 hours because I need them to be with me b/c of my fears. I pray that's a rare occurance, but it's nice to know that you can count on someone, like I can count on all of you to be there with support and kind words when the chips are down. Thank the Lord!

I have this, too. It comes and goes, sometimes hanging around for a few days. I agree with the poster who said you should see that as an indication that it's time to up your relaxation exercises and find some time to chill.

I don't know if this will help but folks who are really losing their minds, don't think they are. My best friend has bipolar disorder and a few years ago, before she was diagnosed, she went into a prolonged manic episode that resulted in her becoming delusional for a while. While she was delusional, she didn't think she was going crazy, because she believed her delusions. Now, she does worry that she might return to that state, but is getting the help to prevent it.

My point is that even as she was descending into delusion, she didn't think "I'm going crazy. I'm becoming delusional," because she was doing both.

Hello
Yes. I have those thoughts and they can be persistent as well as irritatig. They have been in and out my mind for the last 4 years. Today I went to see my primary care doctor and i was prescribed seroquel. This is to stop racing thoughts and help aid in repairing serotonin and dopamine in the brain. I dont know if it will help but i am praying it will. My advice to you is to stay strong. Dont accept the thoughts as your own. The conditin brings it on. God has a purpose for your life and it is not to go crazy. This is only a condition like any other. It seems scarey because it is not a physical condition where you can see it get better. In this case we have rely on our inner strength, love our self, educate ourselves and have peace knowing God will never let you be defeated. I guarantee you, you will come out on top.
God has never lost a battle and He will show you how to manage and manuever through the changes. I am with you, praying for you and i know you are a winner. Just Watch and See.
God Bless you and strengthen you.

Rose

I feel like I'm going crazy too sometimes. I'm more afraid that my doctor thinks I'm crazy, despite all evidence he has shown me to the contrary. I made a bad choice the other day and started reading the DSM-IV. Now I think I might have bipolar disorder, even though I have never had any manic episodes. Speaking to my loved ones and friends, they all reassured me that I am not bipolar. But I keep thinking, "What if I am?"

quote:

But I keep thinking, "What if I am?"

Well if we can think bad, why can't we think good?

What if I accomplished a couple tasks today? WOW! Great!

What if...I make a great dinner!

What if...I call my mom, sister, grandmother and tell them I love them!

What if...I smile!

What if...let the person behind me in the grocery line go ahead of me?

What if...I take a walk tonight a feel great!

What if...I can do a 180 when a bad thought come to mind? Hmmm!

What if...I can remind myself that I am a GOOD, worthy person? Well do it!

What if...I feel relaxed after my relaxation tape? You probably WILL feel relaxed!

What if...I can go alone to the mall, walk around and spend a whole hour there? You probably could!

What if...I just pushed through my fear and just did whatever I am scared of? I would prove to myself that I COULD face my fear and come out a WINNER. And even if I tried I STILL am a winner!

This is a tough one for me also. I get so frightened sometimes and my anxiety goes through the roof. When I start obsessing I get the weird thoughts like, am I hearing voices or did I see something weird? (I read some symptom info junk on disorders - big mistake!) I'm completely on gaurd and notice every little thing. Then I analyze myself to see if I'm ok. Its terrible 'cause at other times the thought of going crazy can just be that, a stupid thought, and you can see it for what it is. It's that "living in your head" problem. I know they say people with anxiety don't "lose it" but it's still hard to not want 100% assurance (which is impossible) and I find that hard to deal with. People can tell you over and over you're fine, you're normal, but still you what if.... I know how you feel.

This was so helpful today and if you miss the program, go to the site and listen there! Tomorrow, August19th, they are talking about help for obsessive thinking, if it's half as good as today's program, it should be very encouraging! For anyone stuggling through scary thoughts and anxiety & depression, there's been a great radio discussion on "God's Answers For Anxiety, Depression & Obsessive Thoughts", it's on most Christian radio stations, and http://www.pointofview.net/site/PageServer is the link to their web site & you can listen online even if you missed today's broadcast, it was simply wonderful!!!!
Blessings,
Fairlight

quote:

Originally posted by Inspiration is All Around:
This is a tough one for me also. I get so frightened sometimes and my anxiety goes through the roof. When I start obsessing I get the weird thoughts like, am I hearing voices or did I see something weird? (I read some symptom info junk on disorders - big mistake!) I'm completely on gaurd and notice every little thing. Then I analyze myself to see if I'm ok. Its terrible 'cause at other times the thought of going crazy can just be that, a stupid thought, and you can see it for what it is. It's that "living in your head" problem. I know they say people with anxiety don't "lose it" but it's still hard to not want 100% assurance (which is impossible) and I find that hard to deal with. People can tell you over and over you're fine, you're normal, but still you what if.... I know how you feel.

i know exactly what you mean..like when im layin in bed at night ill look around and think i see stuff..and it scares me terribly..also awhile back i thought i did something wrong and thought i was going to jail but i totally didnt do anything...but i was sick for months...it was terrible..and i didnt do nothing..it was nuts .and everyone told me i was ok! but i would be ok for like 10 minutes..then there it goes again
is that how it is for you??? im honestly amazed at how all yall feel what im going through seriously...how do we deal with these things