intrusive thoughts

[olethros]

I've been dealing with some intrusive thoughts lately ... I really think these kinds of thoughts are the most disturbing part of anxiety issues.  Sometimes it might be something about hurting my child, which scares the mess out of me. Other times it might be about doing something that would hurt myself.  It can be other things too.  There's never a real desire to do it - it's just like, a mental picture of it happening, and it really freaks me out, because then I start thinking "what if I actually do this".  I hate the thoughts and they disturb me so much.  I know that these are not things you will carry out - they're just thoughts - but it's still very discouraging, and I could use some encouragement and perhaps some reminders from people that they are truly just thoughts.  I have such an easy time second guessing myself which just feeds the thoughts, and so on.  So ... yeah, any encouragement would be welcome!

[jojo1976]

I find I get some whacko thoughts when I'm stretched to my limits, my anxiety won't let up, I'm tired, frustrated, sometimes angry and just want everything to stop. That's when I know it's time to check out of the room for a bit, hand the kids over to the hubby, and just veg in another room all by myself for a while or leave the house all together. You know when your system is on overload. We are not responsible for our thoughts, only our actions. As long as you maintain that in check, they are, simply thoughts, nothing more. If you find the move to anything even slightly remote to more, it's time to find outside help. 

[dbirm77]

These thoughts, although frightening, are quite common with anxiety sufferers.
The important thing to realize is that they are just thoughts and that you will not act upon them, regardless of how real they seem.

Lastly, everyone has these types of thoughts. (Anxiety sufferers and Non-anxiety sufferers alike)The difference is that we, as anxiety sufferers, apply meaning and fear to these thoughts while those who do not have anxiety issues allow these thoughts to come and go without any attention at all.

Treat these thoughts for what they are, a tired mind working overtime.
Give them no attention...and they will no longer be an issue.
It's hard to do because they are so scary.
I have been there.

Good Luck,

Drew

[PCM]

Olethros....

Anxiety lives by feeding on thoughts, if you have a thought which scares you, the anxiety is feeding, trying to make itself more powerful. My mind does the same, the thoughts are chosen as per the degree they have the ability to scare you; for anxiety's food, the scarrer the better. If you analyze them, they are usually far from what you would do under any circumstance.   

[olethros]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone ... it is such a relief to have this place to talk to others who know exactly what I am feeling.  Especially when you get these disturbing thoughts, it can feel very much like you are alone - a freak of sorts.  To know that others deal with similar issues and are not freaks or insane or whatever else is such a blessing for me in coping with my own issues.  Especially because I tend to second guess myself so much and over analyze everything, that reassurance from others is a huge help.  So, thanks again! 

[BusuB]

These thoughts, although frightening, are quite common with anxiety sufferers.
The important thing to realize is that they are just thoughts and that you will not act upon them, regardless of how real they seem.

Lastly, everyone has these types of thoughts. (Anxiety sufferers and Non-anxiety sufferers alike)The difference is that we, as anxiety sufferers, apply meaning and fear to these thoughts while those who do not have anxiety issues allow these thoughts to come and go without any attention at all.

Treat these thoughts for what they are, a tired mind working overtime.
Give them no attention...and they will no longer be an issue.
It's hard to do because they are so scary.
I have been there.

Good Luck,

Drew

Seconded.