How do you shift horrible thoughts?

[OhToBeASeahorse]

I've a young baby and on citalopram for PND.

I stupidly read a story about a horrific child abuse case in America. I wont link because I genuinely wish I hadnt read it.

I feel sick. I've cried about it. I cannot stop thinking about it.

Any advice on how to shift thoughts like this?

Sorry to hear you are struggling OP. I suffered from an anxiety disorder a few years back and I had problems with horrible intrusive thoughts cantering around child abuse. CBT was enormously helpful for me, and the main thing that helped me was learning that the more you push against a thought and try to get rid of it, the harder it is to shift. As counter-intuitive as it sounds, accepting the presence of your thoughts (as horrible as they may be) helps. Distraction is also good.

This is probably pretty obvious but fill your head with something else and try to stay mentally busy. Read, watch tv, listen to radio, podcasts, music... try to stay in company and talking as much as you can.

I have been haunted for years by a picture I saw that depicted utter inhumanity, so I know what you mean.

I’m sorry you’re having a bad time just now. Things will get better 💐

I’m sorry, I didn’t want to read and run.

I don’t know if my advice is any good, as I’ve never been depressed. When I get intrusive thoughts, I tend to sit with the fear for a bit. Willing the thoughts to disappear sometimes makes them worse so instead I lie down, relax and let my mind go there, but keeping a keen eye on the stress response within my body. I also try to rationalise it - I’m scared because I love my kids and would hate for something like that to happen to them; I’m distressed because I have empathy for the victims; but the abuse is no longer happening; horrible things happen to children all the time and somehow they find the strength and the resourcefulness to thrive afterwards. If children died, then I let myself grieve for them but also recognise that my distress can’t help them. My job is to live my life. I carry on mulling over the thoughts and my fears until I’m calm.

I hope you feel better soon

Thanks everyone. That's helpful.

I just cant believe the cruelty