Mental Illness - Intrusive thoughts mixed with Obsession

[The big yin]

Not sure how to start this but obviously this is about mental illness. I'm currently waiting to see my specialist so don't worry I'm not asking medication advice lol.

Basically since the 27th of August I've been in a state of constant anxiety and its been getting worse. It started with waking in a panic about loved ones dying, since then I've had constant intrusive thoughts about it from the moment I wake, now the constant thought has been death in general (ceasing to exist once dead, life is meaningless, you'll become ill and die soon) have become the new constant and I can't make it stop. I can't ignore it like other intrusive thoughts because it is the only truth in life, its not nonsense. It's worn me down and even with everything I've learned to combat and deal with my mental illness I'm failing to fight this and it's preventing me from living the life I do have, I completely broke down at the weekend. I've always been atheist, no life after death has been a fact for me since I was in my teens so I don't know why it's doing this and it's become my sole obsessive though.

What I'd like to ask is, for anyone who has been through this or similar, how did you regain some control? Was there something that helped you like a type of therapy or meditation technique or something? It will be 2 weeks before I can see my psychiatrist and anything that can help me at least remain stable I'm willing to try.

Thanks

 

[Peloso]

Intrusive thoughts are a bitch. Talking to your doctor can help because they throw off your perspective. Since your doctor is not around, are there any mental health lines in your area you can call? It's important to not let yourself spend too much time alone with these thoughts.

Some of the operators on these talk lines can be ineffective or even condescending, especially if your intrusive thoughts are OCD-related. If this happens, try another line, or call back and speak to someone else.

Are you feeling any better today?

 

[KaraBulut]

In an earlier thread, I made a mention of "mindfulness". Basically, the idea of mindfulness is that when we're not living in the current moment and paying attention to our own lives and the interactions we have in the current time, it leaves your mind open to wonder to the future and past. When you're not present in current time, you're inclined to panic about events that might happen in the future.

There are some phone apps that colleagues are recommending to patients who are having anxiety (which is very common right now with the issues around the pandemic). Some of the apps are free.

I tend to be a skeptic on some of the psychology profession's solutions but I've heard very good feedback from patients who are having anxiety, migraines, panic attacks and other issues. Taking time out to focus and stop your mind from spinning out of control does help. You might give the mindfulness apps a try to see if they help de-escalate your anxiety until you're able to get an appointment with your mental health provider.

 

[The big yin]

Intrusive thoughts are a bitch. Talking to your doctor can help because they throw off your perspective. Since your doctor is not around, are there any mental health lines in your area you can call? It's important to not let yourself spend too much time alone with these thoughts.

Some of the operators on these talk lines can be ineffective or even condescending, especially if your intrusive thoughts are OCD-related. If this happens, try another line, or call back and speak to someone else.

Are you feeling any better today?

Thanks I'm doing a bit better. Still can't make it stop but it's not overpowering me if it makes sense. Managing to distract myself more too

 

[The big yin]

In an earlier thread, I made a mention of "mindfulness". Basically, the idea of mindfulness is that when we're not living in the current moment and paying attention to our own lives and the interactions we have in the current time, it leaves your mind open to wonder to the future and past. When you're not present in current time, you're inclined to panic about events that might happen in the future.

There are some phone apps that colleagues are recommending to patients who are having anxiety (which is very common right now with the issues around the pandemic). Some of the apps are free.

I tend to be a skeptic on some of the psychology profession's solutions but I've heard very good feedback from patients who are having anxiety, migraines, panic attacks and other issues. Taking time out to focus and stop your mind from spinning out of control does help. You might give the mindfulness apps a try to see if they help de-escalate your anxiety until you're able to get an appointment with your mental health provider.

Thank you,

I have heard of mindfulness but kinda ignored it cos CBT was better. I have been hearing more good things so I'll have a look at some of the apps

 

[KaraBulut]

Thank you,

I have heard of mindfulness but kinda ignored it cos CBT was better. I have been hearing more good things so I'll have a look at some of the apps

CBT and mindfulness aren't mutually exclusive. They're very closely related. There's a new flavor called Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, known as MBCT. CBT works but you have to de-escalate your anxiety before you can use the insight exercises in CBT.

When combined, mindfulness helps you stop the spiral of anxiety and panic by using breathing exercises and meditation to reach a more calm state, so that you can use what you've learned in CBT to change the thought patterns that triggered the anxiety.

 

[Peloso]

^Meditation is helpful, but you have to stick with it and do it regularly. It's not like a drug--it's benefits are cumulative.

There's also "tapping" https://www.healthline.com/health/eft-tapping. I know...I thought it was more new age bullshit when I was first told about it, but it works for me. It's not all that useful in moments of acute anxiety (nothing is) but, like meditation, if you do it faithfully when you are only moderately stressed, you will learn how to use it more effectively.

Distraction does work, but be careful not to let it evolve into self-harm.

 

[The big yin]

Thank you for the replies guys, it's been very helpful and I know where to look now

 

[glitterdontstop]

Hey there! Please seek any professional help if you are struggling mentally. We need to take good care of our mental health. You can also get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Eat healthy, regular meals, and stay hydrated and make sleep a priority!

 

[voltronforce]

The American Mental Health system is 90% Broken. You have to read up on your mental health problems and read the latest developments. A lot of psychiatrists and psychologists and nurses do not stay current on the latest science. You have to be your own advocate I can not say that enough. No one is going to care as much about you as you. Go to therapy biweekly. Several years ago I took a psychiatric DNA test from Genomind, there are a few others out there and that helped decide what meds are good for me and which ones to stay away from.

 

[ShadowCat]

I know im fucked up depressed melancholy and anhedonia nothing gives me true joy anymore! Everything is just meh!

 

[bradnips]

What medication are you on? - For me , Effexor combination with Abilify was a miracle ! i feel great and feel smarter than ever .

 

[m1thousand]

I have intrusive thoughts. I came to this forum to post about it

Good luck