Intrusive thoughts - how to get through tonight.

[Feelingdownthismorn]

Please. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with intrusive thoughts?
Mine are to do with the abuse I suffered as a child. I have struggled to think of much else for the last few days and nights.
I can't focus on anything, can't eat, can't sleep, can barely have a coherent conversation. As you can imagine, work didn't go well today! I want to either relax or get on with something practical but I can do neither.
Any ideas?
Thanks

Hi, I'm on the village thread too, so sought you out. I find singing out loud helps (although it was not appreciated during my recent but short visit to hospital). But you probably can't do that at work...

I also do meditation (sometimes) - just focussing on your breath. The thoughts may still be there but they can then wash over your head, they become more distant as it were.

sending warm wishes

Thanks so much for finding me pussycat.
I would try the singing if I didn't have a toddler sleeping next door, and neighbours .

I have meditated in the past but I really can't focus on anything at the moment. I went running yesterday, that helped momentarily. I'm not sure I can do another night of this. I want to scream

These thoughts are keeping you awake? How much sleep did you get last night?

Last night I got about 4 hours of broken sleep I think.

Night before, less than that.

Have you tried writing these thoughts down just to get them out of your head? Can also be helpful in gaining some objectivity too.

Is there something that has triggered this OP?

If you are remembering stuff as if it was happening now, then you could try dissociating. Imagine seeing your younger self, and tell her that things will be alright. Enfold her in a cuddle. Curl up with her and drift off into sleep.

Horizontal rest in bed is better than staying up.

I tried writing them down scarleto but I ended up remembering more
I coped well for years but have not long started counselling again and lots of things have been brought up.
I don't know how much longer I can do this.

I'll give that a go pussycat

A bit of prayer guidance I had once said to think of a word that calms you or that you connect with spiritually, and repeat it when any thought enters your head; it's a kind of meditation as already advised. I think it was called centering. It might work as the idea is you detach from the everyday. I hope you have a better night whatever.

I find a distracting activity that takes up my brain helps sometimes : sudoku, puzzle, candy crush, solitaire - if I could knit or cross stich that would work too. Or I get up and watch safe tv sometimes so if I cannot sleep my brain is otherwise engaged. I find quiet classical music a good background in bed sometimes. Other times a sleeping tablet knocks me out and gives me a break. Not sure if any ideas any use but just in case!

Thanks everyone.
Giving up on sleep for now.

Just lay down and close your eyes and imagine you have a candle in front of you watch the candle as you breath flickering and bending a way from you. Then play with it breathing til it almost goes out then breathing in again to let it recover. But always regular slow breaths.

Hope it helps

When my children were younger I used I didn't bother trying to sleep. I used to lie there and appreciate the fact that no little people were asking me any questions and just rest. Giving up on trying to sleep would actually send me to sleep.

Now I put LBC on the radio as there's no music just low voices and that's usually enough to distract my brain.

Good ideas here, distracting games, low music or quiet talk radio. I find lying still and keeping my eyes closed, telling myself even if I don't sleep at least I won't have tired eyes tomorrow helps; I usually nod off eventually.

Morning OP.

I hope you managed to get some rest.

If you're still struggling would it help to get yourself an audio book or download some podcasts to listen to in bed? When I can't bear my own thoughts I put something on to listen to and I can usually drift off.

I'm sorry your counselling has brought up memories, thoughts and feelings that are playing on your mind in such a horrible way. In my experience it does seem to get worse before things get better. Almost as if we are rebreaking bones so that we can set them in the correct way to heal properly!

I hope things get easier for you very, very soon

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions. My mind' snot in the right place to even focus on a solution.
Just about keeping it together at work. How long is it possible to survive on diet coke, coffee and no sleep?!