Intrusive thoughts and catastrophizing

[Jinny99]

In the past three years, I have, according to my intrusive thoughts, had bowel cancer, anal cancer, brain cancer. My child has had cancer, been bullied, suffering poor mental health. I have lost my job on numerous occasions because of no fault on my part, I have had relationships fail as I am worthless. None of these things have happened to me but they are all intrusive thoughts that I have experienced. I cannot seem to ever settle into feeling happy. I have a good job, my child is healthy but I am always catastrophizing about everything. It is so tiring and I’m not sure how much longer I can put up with pretending I am okay when inside I am always thinking something bad is just around the corner.

You need therapy like CBT which will show you why and how your thoughts are illogical and what you can do to combat them

have you told your GP this?

I 100% recommend you go for therapy OP. Could you afford to go private? If so, look for recommendations locally and go to see someone as soon as you can. If not see your GP.
I had terrible trouble with similar things (though mine started after an actual cancer diagnosis) and my catastrophising head went into overdrive. It really is so exhausting. Please try to get some help it will make such a difference. When you try not to let the bad thoughts in you also find yourself not letting in the good stuff too so it can really affect your general happiness.
One thing I will say which I always refer back to when I find myself falling into a panic is ask yourself...
What are the facts here?
What are just my thoughts?
It helps to focus on the reality.
Good luck OP.

Thanks and no. I thought I could manage this on my own as I have always had this type of thinking. Need to touch something three times or it’s bad luck. If I see a yellow car, that means that awful thing won’t happen etc. Ever since birth of daughter, I have really struggled.

Thanks and you’re right, it stops any kind of joy which is so sad. Just constantly thinking something awful is going to befall us - it could be anything and often times it gets worse when I read a particular news story for example or make a decision in work which is perfectly fine but I will ruminate and come up with the most awful consequences

There will be lots of responses here that say see your GP.
I’m not saying that’s bad advice BUT if you can afford to, you will get much better care and therapy much more quickly, in most areas if you can afford to access a private therapist OR contact a charity.
Your therapist will help you unpick why you have these thoughts.
And when they are or aren’t helpful.
Talking to the GP is also a good idea but I think assuming they’re going to be able to help with therapy may be setting yourself up for a disappointment in most areas at the moment.

It sounds like OCD. Especially with the touching, which are compulsions. It’s also common for it to start after giving birth.

Please see a doctor if you can. I’m on meds - I know not everyone likes the idea of them - but they’ve saved my life. CBT should help too. I’ve had this for nearly 30 years and back when I first started with symptoms it was absolute hell. I thought I was bad, evil, you name it. I find it helpful to follow OCD accounts on Instagram as it helps me see I’m not the only one.

Have you asked for therapy? You can refer yourself to turning point who will assess you and decide on best treatment ..your GP will now tell you to contact them.
CBT might work or CAT.. MNDR would definitely work. I've had all three and CAT and MNDR worked for these kind of thoughts for me.
Please ring your local Turning point.Good luck

www.turning-point.co.uk/

Self refer for CBT through your local Talking Therapies service. Or read one of the Overcoming books, not very expensive online and most libraries have them.

Im the exact same op. But ive tried CBT etc and nothing has worked. I feel im a lost cause.

Sorry to hear this. It really is awful. Im one week so many horrible things can happen and it is all in my head. Exhausting.
Hoping you can find some relief soon.

Have you tried meds? They really can help. The intrusive thoughts don’t go completely but they can die down and become less ‘sticky’ and scary.

I tried setraline. It started me bleeding within 2 days and as I'm menopausal i was terrified i had cancer. Stopped it immediately and had to wait 7 months for a check up scan.
Im too scared to try anything else.

Try hypnotherapy. It involves talking therapy as well, but helps you to sort of reset the way your mind processes your thoughts and can be really beneficial for exactly this sort of thing.

I had considered hypnotherapy before, i "spoke" to someone in here who does it but i didn't take it further. I just can't afford something else that might not work, I've spent a lot of money on different therapies.

CBT is usually a good starting point. If it helps you to read about it there's a very good textbook called Managing the Mind, which might help you understand why people think and feel certain ways.

Also the physiological effects are useful to understand - do you feel physically tense when you're having those thoughts or realise you're holding your breath - as it can help to notice those things and tackle the physical effects too.

Yes - physical effects - racing heart, clenched jaw - almost like a panic.
I have taken onboard previous post of saying okay, thought, go away, I’m not having you dominate my day and it is helping.

I have this too. Since I started taking 5mg of lithium orotate a day, it is less bad. I also take l- theanine and ashwaganda. These supplements quieten the intrusive thoughts and create a space that keeps me grounded in reality that I am not these thoughts, I don’t have to engage with all the drivel that passes through my brain. I think the supplements stop me getting stuck in a physical fight or flight mode in the body.

I am so pleased to hear you're having some better moments OP. I remember a little thing I do a lot when I'm having a bad moment, I'll actually say out loud to an intrusive thought (not a fact) ...
"Stop right now, thank you very much" (as in the Spice Girls song) and shift my thoughts to positive facts! Usually gets me singing the rest of the song too.😂