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How can I stop these painful, intrusive thoughts?

28 replies

BridgetJonesAsFuck · 01/10/2023 20:12

I've had them most of my life but they seem to get worse and they are just so extremely upsetting. I'm a huge animal lover particularly cats, rabbits and just basically anything furry and cute. Little birds etc. Absolutely adore them. I keep getting these images in my head of someone hurting them or them being harmed in the most horrifically traumatising way. Or one of my loved ones (relatives) being attacked or hurt by someone. The way it happens though is just so violent. These thoughts are like being forced to watch a film I can't switch off. They make me feel sick and panicky. When I feel it coming on I just feel dread sweeping over me. I stopped watching violent films years ago because I didn't want my brain to get even more inspiration. Game of Thrones? Forget it. Why does my brain produce these horrible violent thoughts and how can I get them to stop? I feel like it's some sort of self harm?

OP posts:
Chanhedforthis · 05/11/2023 10:46

Hi OP, have you been diagnosed with OCD?

As a fellow sufferer I found CBT amazing and really helped. I have suffered from a range of intrusive thoughts from catching diseases to hurting those i love the most.

It's truly horrific but please remember these thoughts upset you because you love animals so much. OCD attacks your brain and makes you believe you're capable of horrible things.

Id suggest CBT if you can get it, in the meantime there are a lot of great books available which have helped me in my darkest times. 'Breaking free from OCD' and 'Brain Lock' are probably the ones that helped me the most. Also OCD UK have helpful forums in which you can chat to fellow sufferers.

Hang in there OP ❤️

youngones1 · 05/11/2023 10:50

If you write all your unwanted thoughts down, it gets them out of your head in a way, works for me.

BridgetJonesAsFuck · 06/11/2023 20:45

Chanhedforthis · 05/11/2023 10:46

Hi OP, have you been diagnosed with OCD?

As a fellow sufferer I found CBT amazing and really helped. I have suffered from a range of intrusive thoughts from catching diseases to hurting those i love the most.

It's truly horrific but please remember these thoughts upset you because you love animals so much. OCD attacks your brain and makes you believe you're capable of horrible things.

Id suggest CBT if you can get it, in the meantime there are a lot of great books available which have helped me in my darkest times. 'Breaking free from OCD' and 'Brain Lock' are probably the ones that helped me the most. Also OCD UK have helpful forums in which you can chat to fellow sufferers.

Hang in there OP ❤️

Thank you for this kind post ♥️ and to all of you

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