How do you deal with intrusive thoughts?

[EveHarrington]

I’ve been on a three day streak of intrusive thoughts. Things haven’t been this bad in quite a few years now. I’m trying to distract like crazy, getting online, listening to music, reading, talking to other people....but it’s only temporary relief. It’s like my mind is on speed and I get brief periods of brain rest (which are precious at this point). Things are so bad I just cry.

What do you do to battle the intrusive thoughts? Any/all suggestions welcome. I’ll be back in a few hours....I have a three hour flight. Fingers crossed I can get some relief while in the air, or at the very least, sleep!

 

[Esterio]

Hi Eve

When my mind is on speed drive and won't give me a break keeps flipping from one topic to another so fast it gets exhausting. I go to heavy metal music as loud as I can stand it and it helps me to shut down. I found an article about it somewhere maybe at Psychology Today. I will look for it and send you a link to it later today.

I hope you get some relief and do sleep on your flight.

Esterio

 

[Cactus Bloom]

I’ve been on a three day streak of intrusive thoughts. Things haven’t been this bad in quite...

I’m so sorry Eve! I’m just here for support. My system does what it wants and usually goes from one addiction to another to keep me distracted from feeling anything but darn it I’m in the same boat right now and am crying constantly. Hang in there!!!

 

[Suzetig]

I really dislike the whole mindfulness thing because it’s sold as a cure all but it did help me with intrusive thoughts in that I learned to be less distressed about them and so didn’t try so hard to push them out of my head.

The thing that helped me was imagining my thoughts like cars on the road, driving past. Some vehicles are big and trundle through and some are small, nippy cars the zip right on by. Instead of trying to stop or direct the traffic I imagine myself just watching it flow through. So, the thoughts come and go, I just let my mind “watch” while I try to focus on what I’m actually doing in the moment, eg making dinner, having a shower etc - if I’m doing something that is multi-sensory so much the better, I’ll focus on each of the senses affected but without fighting the intrusive bit so they almost become background noise.

That may not help but it’s how I manage.

 

[Gs172003]

I really dislike the whole mindfulness thing because it’s sold as a cure all but it did help me with...

That's what has worked for me. It's like white noise now when I'm busy.

 

[lostnconfused]

Yeah. I also was skeptical that mindfulness breathing exercises might help me, too, but it trying it out for a bit actually helped. Exercising has helped me, too, which is more my preferred method of trying to relax, get rid of anxiety, endorphins to improve my mood, etc.; like mindfulness exercises, it also helps slow down your heart rate, which can help calm you in a similar way.

 

[CdnCopper]

Watching the birds and other wildlife at my feeder takes my mind elsewhere for as long as I want. Other than that, exercise/workouts, long walks, my pets, visiting my kids.

Sometimes though I just have to wait them out.