OCD Action

aishah
Member

Hi everyone,
I had my CBT session on Monday and was asked to write down the thoughts I was having and to record them in a diary everyday. Since starting this yesterday, the intrusive thoughts have intensified again and have been relentless- one after another, it feels like I'm under attack!

I have been finding it really distressing and have not been able to concentrate on anything else. Has anyone else experienced this during CBT.

Bridget

Wed Mar 3 2010 15:26:08 #
Unregistered

Bridget, I never had CBT when I suffered intrusive thoughts, but most things get worse before they get better. I do recall vividly what they felt like when they were bombarding me continuously. I wish I could say something to help.

Love, Tricia.

Wed Mar 3 2010 15:30:49 #
Unregistered

Hi Bridget

I did not want to miss out on this one.

When I started my therapy in November, I wrote down my thoughts on the computer and started the 'reading them constantly therapy.' You read them over and over again for half an hour. The first time I did this I was so anxious I could not stand it and did not try again for a fortnight until my therapist made me do it. Whenever the thought popped into my head I found it hard not to believe it and I could not sleep at night for af couple of weeks.

Yes it does get worse at first, but the more you do it the less frightening it should get. So I do hope you will stick with it. Facing your thoughts is the best (if not the only way) to get real control of your OCD.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
let me know how you get on
Love
Anne

Wed Mar 3 2010 15:46:52 #
Blueskies
Member

Hiya there Bridget

As Anne and Tricia have already mentioned, it does get worse before it gets better. It is very annoying and yes it can feel as if your under attack. Very often, it is normal to want to deny that those thoughts exsist in the first place, and trying as we do, which is normal to avoid them, ignore them, and to resist the temptation of paying them any attention only makes it worse. Often even with intrusive thoughts, the solution we adapt to cope is often the problem, meaning trying to avoid them and hope they will go away.

The idea of writing your intrusive thoughts in a diary, is to first acknowledge that they do exsist. Seeing your thoughts on paper, can be like gentle exposure of just having to read your thoughts that are disturbing. The more you read it, Like Anne suggested, the more your able to feel in time less anxious about them. It can be hard work, like a spoilt child seeking attention and when he/she does not get it, all hell breaks lose.

Or someone who did not like violent films like me, the more I watched them, the more I became desensitized to them and now I can watch those films without having any anxiety attached to them.

Now every time you read your diary and see those thoughts, your doing more good than you realise. Your taking charge of the situation, your slowly facing something that will have less fear attached to it. You will learn to accept small levels of stress and still feel safe. Each exposure, builds your confidence and you gain control over your thoughts, not the other way round. The process takes time but when you can see what you will achieve overall keep on going as they say.

if you need any help please send me a message and I will be happy to support you if need be.

Pam

Wed Mar 3 2010 20:00:04 #
aishah
Member

hi everyone, thanks for your support. I know already that the thoughts would get worse before they get better, I think I was looking for reassurance.

I have struggled on and off with this for years and I know they will settle down again, I just don't feel strong enough to cope at the moment, it affects your every waking minute!

I am going to college today for the first time in 3 months so I hope that I will get a break at least while I am there.

Thanks again
Take Care
Bridget

Thu Mar 4 2010 9:10:01 #
swan
Member

Hi
How was your day at college?
Take care

Thu Mar 4 2010 16:38:10 #
aishah
Member

Hi Swan, college was ok though i did start crying as soon as someone asked if I was ok. I did get a bit of a break from the thoughts as I had to concentrate. It's been a hard day though as I feel very low today.

I'm sorry you have had it rough lately, hopefully we will both be feeling better soon.

Bridget

Thu Mar 4 2010 17:49:02 #
Rena32
Member

Hi Everyone, I am feeling your pain as well, I have been under attack from OCD the past few days with extreme anxiety, and yes it always gets worse before it gets better. I hope that you all feel better and that we can get past these attacks very soon.

Fri Mar 5 2010 2:23:20 #