Intrusive thoughts

Hi

You cannot just stop thinking and the more you focus on your thoughts the stronger you feel the adrenalin rush and panic taking over. Trying to distract yourself usually ends up in total frustration. I believe the answer to your question would solve the whole anxiety problem :D as panick attacks and anxiety are triggered by intrusive thoughts.

I believe the key to manage your thoughts is acceptance. My initial reaction to the negative thoughts was to become scared of them and try to make them go away. When that didn't work, I felt frustrated, and thought I am going crazy because I am not able to get my mind off one idea. That isn't true. It's like telling your brain, don't think of a pink gorilla. Of course you are pictureing that gorilla dancing around. When that happens you laugh and ACCEPT you cannot control thinking at that gorilla, and you quickly forget it and move forward. This is the same way intrusive thoughts should be managed. You are not crazy, everybody has these thoughts and they will naturally dissapear. You shouldn't try to stop thinking them, you should try observing them, accepting them and labeling them.

This will help you recognize the thought once it pops into your mind, and realize it is THAT thought, which disappeared and DID NOT HARM YOU. If you stop running away from your toughts and acknowledge they are part of you, they will stop being so frequent. Your attitude is the key here. You will not be able to do that since day one, and shouldn;t feel frustrated if one thought really frightens you. In time you will master them. It is a very complex issue, such as our brains, and cannot be overcome with a pill ( how simple would that be !) The good aspect is that in the end you will only be stronger, and more prepared for stressfull situations that life presents you, so don't dispare ! Best of luck and sorry for my english

Hi

You have had some great advice from others and I agree that acceptance plays a big part in making things better.  Also look into Mindfulness I found that it really helps keep things in the hear and now.  I hope things improve for you soon.

hibee