Does Intrusive Thoughts Cause Anyone Else Body Pain.

[cdg]

I have intrusive thoughts that I am trying to get over. I understand how you are supposed to handle them. I still feel the body pain that are associated with them. If so.. does this symptom subside? Anxiety type of pain. I am trying not to respond, agree or disagree with them. I guess its hard some times.

 

[Abstract]

Hi cdg,

Just so I answer more helpfully I wanted to check what type of intrusive thoughts. Is it to do with trauma (like visuals and rumination of it) or is it more the unrelated stuff you were discussing before?

 

[cdg]

It has to do with the trauma. I am ruminating on what ifs and almost uncontrollable thoughts. I'm not trying to control anything. They are still uncontrollable. The only way to calm it is if I take an ativan. I don't take it every day.

 

[Abstract]

cdg,

It is an extremely difficult thing. Maybe others can come up with suggestions but the main ways to deal with them are grounding (your mind and body go back in time to one extent or the other), affirmations which counter the thoughts and means of dealing with, and tolerating the intense emotions; such as mindfulness. A lot of help can come from finding ways to tolerate the feelings more effectively. http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/mindfulness.html

Are you familiar with grounding?

 

[cdg]

I'm having the toughest time. Thanks for your help. I am familiar with grounding. I hope I can get through this.

 

[Red4287.]

I had the same thoughts going around and around in my head. I am working with meditation and staying in the present moment. I say cancel that thought and focus on the present moment. Also my Dr. added Abilify along with my anti-depressive medication. It has made a big difference in how I feel. One side effect is weight gain which I am having a problem with.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Yes. I experience somatic responses to trauma when I am triggered, etc. the intrusive thoughts suck

 

[Abstract]

CDG, I have been meaning to ask you if you have looked into somatic pain and emotional flashbacks. If there was physical pain involved with your trauma it is possible to have re experiencing of it. The same goes for emotional flashbacks where you suddenly experience the emotions involved even if your other senses are not re experiencing. The body automatically goes into the same fight and flight mode as it did in the original experience.

Do they go away? From what I am told and others have told me as well as a little of my own experiences I believe they potentially can but only truly when we have dealt with the trauma. In the meantime managing stress and other methods can keep them more under control. Its a little like constant Russian Roulette though.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Russian Roulette.....

Yes. Exactly what it seems like.

 

[cdg]

I have somatic pain that I can't control. It's getting harder to deal with.

 

[Abstract]

Not sure if this will help you but the way I choose to see intrusive stuff is that it has been filed in the wrong place in the brain and therefore keeps falling of the shelf at inopportune moments. That the falling off the shelf is an attempt for it to be put in the correct place and therefore heal.

So really intrusive material has many functions in a sense. One of the best ways I have found of coping is building tolerance of the intense emotions and feelings through radical acceptance and mindfulness and attempting to look at the situation differently.

It is extremely challenging.

 

[Abstract]

that I can't control

Once I started having acceptance for this part it helped. Its a journey though.