My thoughts are tormenting me?!?!?

Question

I dwell on things. And I overthink things alot. And I worry. And I'm paranoid.

Well, I have these disturbing thoughts that are tormenting me. I'm so tired of it. I don't want to go to a doctor, because I don't want to be thought of as crazy and go to an institution or something. I just want to go back to the way I used to be- carefree and happy.

But I don't know how to do that.

Answer 1

You're not insane.

You just have an anxiety disorder called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) I used to have it but I'm completely recovered now.

Everyone has disturbing thoughts to an extent but they can natually filter out anything that is not a real threat. You (and others who deal with the same thing) cannot so easily do that.  Even if you're rational mind knows what you fear is not real, you still responds with anxiety.  

When you distract yourself from whatever the fear is, it is likely to return to your head. After all, it caused you anxiety and your mind is treating it like an immenant unresolved threat.

As anxiety disorders such as this get worse, the thoughts get more and more irrational until anything bad you can dream up becomes obsessive fear

1. Understand that these things are not real. Having OCD about something does not mean its more likely to happen. Also stop feeling guilty for thoughts that torment you as if they are fantacies you are welcoming in.

2. Bounce the thoughts from your mind whenever possible. Don't analize them or try to counterbalance them with "good thoughts".(example: Thinking about rescuing the person you're afraid of hurting) This may temperarily relieve anxiety but in the long run, it enables the attacks to continue.

Imagine that a little kid says to you "You're going to turn into a pineapple!! hahahah" Would you enter into a dialog with him about how that's biologically impossible?No way!  If you did. He would probbably make a habbit of tormenting you. OCD is the same way. The thoughts continue to bother you because you treat them as if you're taking them seriously. This sends your subconscious mind the message that the danger is real: therefore,  as long as a loved one is around, you will periodically have to reassure yourself that you won't hurt them.  

4.Be Strong. Not playing the counterthought game may cause anxiety but it will not last forever. Learn to view anxiety as it really is: It is  something unpleasent you must expirience for a while  but you will certainly triumph over it.  Patrick Henry was wrong: fear is nothing to be feared.



3. Distract yourself.  Any time your mind is busy, you can't be anxious.

this gives temporary relief and over time, it teaches your mind non- anxious thought patterns.

4.   See a psychiatrist.  Serotonin reuptatke inhibiters and seratonin precursers help treat the medical problem that prompted all this to develop.  You will still need to change the bad habbits you've formed in your thought life. However, medicine will make it a lot easier and help keep you unanxious when you recover.  

I hope you feel better soon. If you want, you can email me any time

your friend

Nicole

Answer 2

Its the same with me so here is my advice.

When you overthink things just overthink it to NOT overthinking things.Also just try to get it out of you head by thinking about other things.  Thats all I can say.

Answer 3

Don't worry, seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist wont mean your crazy. You probably just have a hormone imbalance. You wont be sent to an institution and you wont be labeled crazy.

Paranoia. It happens to all of us.

Answer 4

A professional won't think you're crazy -- it's their job. They probably work with people far kookier than you are.  Seeking professional help could benefit you a lot.

Answer 5

Please go to a doctor or a mental health clinic.  They deal with all kinds of mental health problems & won't institutionalize you unless they feel you are a danger to yourself or others.  They may simply offer you medication to calm you or stop the thoughts.  

Answer 6

I think things hat i reeeeally don't want to think, a lot.I pass it off though, by writing it down or saying 'oh god awkward thought right there!'

so, i know how you feel.

Answer 7

First of all,

please sweetheart dont hesitate to consult a doctor...

they are professionals..expert.. they will ive u d best and wella dvices so please go for it....

Do not sit long wher u are...change d places, ..visit d places... spend time with friends...

pray to d god...- u will get peace

spending time in various places... wont give u time to think much....

watch movies and all....

think that u wont overthink ...and dont sit much aloneee

all d best!

Answer 8

I get these thoughts that I think I'm doing somthing when Im atually not, I keep thinking I am dreaming but I could atually be punching some1 in real life so I keep pinching myself, I keep thinking Im killing my mum etc etc... is it anything like that?