I was wondering if anybody has a way of dealing with this?
I've had something on my mind that I haven't been comfortable enough to tell my therapist yet, but it's gotten a bit unbearable.
My intrusive thoughts have gotten to the point where I'm scared to look at my loved ones. I feel scared that what happened in the intrusive thought will genuinely happen to them, or they will do that, if I look at them or even think their name.
It's especially not helpful when- and as silly as this may sounds- I have one person who always cheers me up and always helps me to calm my anxious feelings whenever I see him, but I genuinely feel guilty seeing him now, and I can't stop but feeling anxious thinking that I might hurt him.
Can anybody relate? I feel like I've worded this weirdly but I'm wondering if it's something common that may have ways to prevent it or help it.
Thank you!
@bxekhyuns
Hello. I used to feel really ashamed whenever I had intrusive thoughts because they were usually of a sexual/inappropriate nature. I'm not sure that there is a sure fire way to stop the feeling of guilt. Guilt usually goes away when the "issue" is resolved but you can't help your thoughts. It sucks but know that you're not alone.
How long have you been dealing with intrusive thoughts?
@bxekhyuns Hey there! I can totally relate for sure! Although I've got the intrusive thoughts fairly under control when I'm not super stressed out, I totally know what you mean by being scared to be around loved ones. I've had intrusive thoughts about hurting them or wanting them to get hurt, and about a whole bunch of horrible things happening to them with me either doing it myself or just wanting it to happen to them. And I'd be ashamed of that, because it sounds so awful and I would think no one actually thinks these things, so they have to be somewhat true right? I'd think I have to actually want to do these things because I'm thinking them or that they will come true because I "want" them to. But I think the key thing to remember, is that these thoughts are "garbage" thoughts. They're random ones that float around usually in the back of people's brains, but for us unlucky ones, they become trapped in our brains and make us flip out. But just because they're stuck in your brain doesn't mean they have even an ounce of truth to them. I think learning to trust yourself, to trust that you are a decent human being, that you do care about these people, that you have good intentions, that you are not these random thoughts. I think that's important in learning to not fear these thoughts so much. It is hard to do, and it does take time/practice. But this was my "eureka" moment and really helped me get my intrusive thoughts under control, because by learning to trust myself, I stopped fearing these thoughts as much. And when I fear these thoughts less, they become less prominent and less powerful. I'm not sure if anyone else with intrusive thoughts has found this helpful, but it certainly has helped me. I hope it helps you! Best of luck to you, take care <3
