(Part 3) Top products from r/Anxiety

I'm a graphic designer, and I too have been struggling with creating. Right now, I'm in the middle of moving, planning a wedding, and what feels like a million other things, but for a time, I had a pretty good routine down.

I found that if I set a schedule for creative time, and stick to it, that eventually, something good will come out of it. You're always going to have bad days. You'll always have nights where you move your pencil around the page for hours and churn out nothing you like. It's part of the gig.

I also found that keeping a list of projects in a notebook was very handy. Instead of spending my creative time worrying about what to work on, I just picked from the list. I also made sure that I didn't have any distractions. It was almost like meditating. I would sit at my desk, and wait. Wait for creativity to come.

Granted, our mediums are different, but I'd suggest giving it a shot. Stick to a creative schedule. Eventually, I think your mind will become accustomed to working at a certain time, and you'll have more success.

Also, find some subreddits or communities where you can talk about your art with other people who enjoy what you do. Share your work. Ask for advice. You might run into an asshole here or there, but that's always going to be the case.

I also spend a lot of time worrying about the future. Worrying about my career, worrying about not being good enough. Try your best to push those thoughts out. I know that's easier said than done. Just sit and wait for it to flow through you.

I'd also suggest checking out this book. It's called The War of Art. The way the author views creativity is exactly what I needed to do in order to find success and stop letting my fears get in the way of doing what I love.

Keep at it. Good luck!

Hi there! I have been living with anxiety and OCD for as long as I can remember, and in more recent years depression has come onto the scene as well. It's hard to give situation-specific advice since you didn't provide information about your particular brand of anxiety (like triggers, frequency of panic attacks, etc.), but I can break down what I have found works for me. I hope my experience with combating anxiety will be useful to you!

• Tip No. 1: If your anxiety is severe enough to affect or impair your daily functioning (for example, your ability to work or school, have healthy relationships, and basically make it through the day in a bearable way), get help. There is assistance available even for those who are uninsured or financially strapped, especially in metropolitan areas.
  
  
• Tip No. 2: Therapy has honestly been the most beneficial and effective part of my treatment. I would even go so far as to recommend it without reservation to anyone suffering from anxiety, especially if their symptoms are on the milder end of the spectrum. I strongly believe that therapy should be the primary line of defense in combating anxiety. That's right, I said it, not medication. Of course there are exceptions to this rule of mine, such as in crisis situations (following a suicide attempt, hospitalization for a severe panic attack, etc.), but in my opinion, many people tend to jump straight to medication before exploring other options and then find themselves disappointed with often lackluster results. As a bit of a caveat, sometimes it does take time to find a skilled therapist that you can trust and connect with. This may be especially difficult with social anxiety or if you have had a bad experience with therapy in the past. Keep at it. It'll more than likely be worth it in the end.
  
  
• Tip No. 3: If therapy alone is not enough, medication prescribed by a mental healthcare professional is a valid option. In my experience with friends and such who received psychiatric medications from their primary care physicians, the results were often mixed or negative. The simple fact is that while PCPs are great for lots of other health concerns, the mind is not their area of expertise. A psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychologist (in states where they can prescribe) is much better equipped to recommend, adjust, and switch medications when necessary than your average general practitioner of medicine. And just like finding the right therapist, finding the right medication often takes patience and persistence. If you have specific questions about medications (I have been on several SSRIs and mood stabilizers in the past), feel free to ask away. And finally, don't expect medication to fix everything. It won't. I know that might seem obvious, but I've seen a lot of people stop taking medication when they shouldn't have just because their life wasn't immediately fixed. At their best, meds just make life easier to confront, not easier to live.
  
  
• Tip No. 4: Something that has been unexpectedly helpful in combating my own anxiety is doing lots of research about literally everything that scares or concerns me. It started when I was first prescribed medication and I was afraid of side effects, so I went online and started reading up on them. Yes, there were horror stories, but the majority of people don't spontaneously combust on antidepressants, and that made me feel better. From there, I started researching my phobias, like flying. Just knowing the mechanics and realistic risks of things that cause you anxiety is often enough to put mild anxiety to rest.
  
  
• Tip No. 5: Books like this can sometimes be useful for learning techniques to quell anxiety, such as thought stopping (a personal favorite of mine) and other relaxation techniques. They're especially great in times when you can't see a professional for whatever reason, because they're designed to model therapeutic techniques.
  
  Sorry for writing you a bit of a novel, but I wanted to make sure that I covered everything and explained myself well. Also, please note that I left off a lot of other techniques that are highly effective for many people (such as mediation/prayer) because I personally have not had success with them. That obviously doesn't mean you shouldn't explore them, in fact, I encourage you to. Everyone is different. I hope that what I have learned thus far in working through anxiety is useful to you.

YES, you absolutely can. I developed anxiety around the same age as you, and had no access to real therapy either. It was sink or swim - I could either stay like it, or find a way to help myself. It took time for me to actually come to the conclusion that helping myself was even possible, but I did, and it paid off. I now rarely, if ever, have panic attacks, and I'm generally much more resilient to stress and uncertainty.

What I did will most likely sound too simple and perhaps unrealistic, but hear me out. I bought a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) book. It basically became my bible. I read it all, took notes, did exercises, and followed it down to the letter. It was difficult, and it took time - but I began seeing an improvement after about 2-3 months. After about 9 months - 1 year, I was a different person. I was helped by it so much that I recommended it to my SO, who has OCD, and he's way better for it now as well. Once you learn the techniques, you can use them at any time, and for almost any kind of anxiety/stress/fear.

My father has always had a 'if I can't get someone else to do it, I'll learn it myself' attitude, and I suppose that was what I was doing. I wanted to be my OWN therapist, so I could be fully self-sufficient again. Due to various family issues/history, I was absolutely against taking medication (which my doctor did offer me, immediately, having had only ONE panic attack...that alone disturbed me enough to make me want to go it alone). The self-help approach suited me as I'm quite studious and self-motivated, and am generally interested in psychology, so reading the book was fun as well as beneficial. If that sounds anything like you, you'd probably get on well with it.

(This is the book I used - there are lots on the market now though: http://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Teach-Yourself/dp/1444170295)

Anxiety, for most people, is not an incurable problem. Specific disorders can be, and some types of fear can be very hard to shake, but from what you describe, that isn't you. You're aware of what's happening, you've looked into your options, and you're being pro-active about it. Those are all really good things :) And, while giving yourself time to get better hasn't worked out how you wanted it to, it's also encouraging that you allowed yourself the time in the first place. A lot of people try to push themselves through anxiety to the point where they really get ill, but you've taken care of yourself. Aside from CBT, I think self-care, being kind to yourself, is one of the best things you can immediately do to help things - both physically and mentally. If not telling your mum allows you to do this more easily, then it's not essential to rock the boat right now. You might want to at another time, or maybe if you feel you need support.

One last thing - panic attacks are scary, but they can't actually hurt you. They are nothing you can't handle - you already have handled them, and are still standing. It feels like you're in danger, I know, but it's important not to fear having them. Being afraid of panic is basically being afraid of fear itself, and that gets you in a bit of a pickle. Creating a mantra can be helpful (mine is 'everything is temporary', but whatever calms you is fine). I also have a breathing exercise that I find easiest to do when panicking - it's basically to just make myself exhale for as long as I can. No counting, no concentration necessary, you just breathe out for longer than you breathe in. A doctor told me it breaks the cycle of hyperventilation. I hope that helps you :)

The longer you live, the more people you'll meet who feel the same way. It's always chance encounters, too- neither of you want to open up for fear of looking stupid but once you do you both feel tremendously relieved that you share the same concerns. A lot of this will be abundantly clear after high school when you look back and take a broader view of things.

Don't worry too much about relationships. Everyone develops at a different pace and not always consistently in all areas. Just remember- douchey, unlikable people don't have the gift of self-reflection. If you feel self conscious, you're doing things right. :) Others will like you too. And girls your age (with their own myriad internal problems) will likely relate to your anxiety more than you know.

If you have time over the summer take a look at the book The Introvert Advantage. It eased my mind before I understood myself.

It's been well over a decade since I was in your place so I'm sure I've forgotten a lot of what it was like, but take heart- you're doing well.

Omg, I so relate. I'm terrified of vomiting and when I start to feel panicky, it's the first thing I freak out about! I'm so sorry to hear you're suffering so much. I think it's so important to reflect on why you are so scared of vomiting? As for me, I have Complex PTSD, BPD, and GAD. My anxiety is so hard to cope with, and I have trauma surrounding vomiting. I talked to my therapist about it and she's trying to help me realize that vomiting is a normal part of being a human. And that vomiting from a panic attack, illness, etc, is very far removed from the source of my trauma/fears surrounding nausea/vomiting. Pregnant women sometimes vomit every morning from morning sickness, people vomit if they feel nauseous from being on boats/planes/cars. Vomiting feels so horribly scary and miserable, and it feels like you've totally lost control!! But it will not kill you. It's discomfort, but you only ever have to experience that discomfort one moment at a time.

I've gone through spells of intense nausea for hours, with little to no emotional support, and I can tell you that it was hell on earth for me with my anxiety/panic problems. So I completely relate. hug

Aside from working it out in your head (why am I so scared of nausea/vomiting? how can I help myself remember that I won't die and it's a normal part of being human?), here are some other ideas that might help:

• Chew anti-nausea gum
  
• Use something like this http://www.amazon.com/Quease-Ease-Motion-Sickness-Instant/dp/B001P4C8N2#customerReviews
  
• Maybe buy one of those anti-nausea wristbands
  
• Maybe write down on a sheet of paper in pretty pens, that discomfort and nausea/vomiting are normal and okay and that you won't die, and that you'll be okay
  
• Maybe get a stress ball or stuffed animal you can squeeze if you're feeling really scared of nausea
  
• Please discuss all of this with a good psychologist if you haven't already, if you're able
  
  
  When I get scared and nauseous, I tend to repeat things over and over, out loud, like "please help, help, help, help, help, I'm so scared, I'm so scared, oh my god, no, no, no, no." I relate to you so much and I feel for you so much. Please feel free to PM me if you wanna talk about it more.
  
  Edit: Wanted to add that when I'm really nauseous, pacing the floor or walking outside helps. Sometimes just changing the environment can help a little and moving your body, can help.

My favorite is Drip Drop powder, but liquid Pedialyte is a good second.

Pedialyte is amazing stuff. It has a ton of uses and has some great electrolytes that can boost your mood

Another anxiety battle! Lol. Try not to overthink your questions. Just ask simple ones. Almost like first date stuff. Do you like to travel, have any pets, hobbies, etc. Then once you find that subject to open yourself up, it just flows from there. It may take a few tries, but you will soon discover the good conversation starter questions. Always remember - it is more often than not the case where your anxiety is trying to convince you that you aren't doing something right, sounding stupid, appearing awkward. If you have any prep time before such interactions (and this may sound silly) but look in a mirror and tell yourself you are smart, you are funny, you are interesting and the things you have and want to say are important. Wash, rinse and repeat 😊

If you are a reader, I would highly recommend:

Change Your Thinking: Overcome Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, and Improve Your Life with CBT https://www.amazon.com/dp/1600940528/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nuIiDbD9J76ZN

I took a mindfulness/CBT combination class that used this workbook. We did most of the exercises in class, but it also comes with a CD so that you can do the guided ones at home. In fact, if you don't even want to buy the book, the audio and guides for the exercises are available for free online! The book is very useful if you like to write down how you're feeling and keep track of how the activities went. I unfortunately didn't finish the class due to exam stress, but before I started to slip, I found doing the meditations every day really helped me. Good luck!

I have had GAD since I was 15 so I applaud you for seeking professional help. Exercise won't cure cancer for sure (I've had that too) and it may not eliminate GAD, but it certainly will not hurt and may actually help. Exercise "messes with brain chemistry" in a very good way. This book by a neuroscientist explains what exercise does to your brain: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514

So go to therapy, definately take your meds but your parents may actually be on to something.

Nope, not quite, but it's by the same author.
This is the one I got:
The other one could be as good or better though, I'd be interested to find out. Maybe read a few pages and check out his sample meditation to see if you like the guy's voice.

There's a lot of scientific evidence for it—I did a quick google and found some stuff, although there are probably better explanations than what I found in a few seconds.

There was a study done in the past five years—at Yale IIRC—that indicated that exercise is equivalent to anti-depressant medication in treating depression.

Here is a psychologist being interviewed about what exercise does to the exerciser's mind.

Here, the American Psychological Association (APA) explains that exercise improves the brain's ability to handle stress, which in turn should reduce anxiety.

There's no cure-all; the one thing you need to do is actually a lot of things that will work together in a perfect storm to reduce and possibly eliminate your anxiety.

About exercise:

• don't worry about whether you feel a "runner's high"—it usually does come, but after at least several weeks of training
  
  
• what you are after is not only an endorphin rush; exercise is being shown to actually change the structure of the brain in positive ways, not the least of which is to be more resilient and less prone to anxiety
  
  
• if your pulse seems too high, slow it down. Remember, you're not out there to prove you're Superman/Superwoman. Speed and endurance will come; think of your mind/body as an engine that you're working on. You need to build it up before it's ready to race.
  
  
• Exercise is not punishment. Too many people get the idea that running/exercise is a way to do penance for bad behavior. You're out there to do good to yourself because you deserve it.
  
  I got a lot out of this layman's book about the effects of exercise on the brain (based science from the past 10-20 years); you may want to look at it.
  
  PS: I found this interesting article in The Atlantic about exercise and depression as well; looks pretty good, and it's from last year.
  
  edit: grammar

I suffered with panic attacks and thought I was going crazy and/or had a terrible cancer. The book "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" gave me my life back. I got over crippling panic disorder without drugs and without a psychiatrist... well, actually, I briefly tried prozac and klonipn, but the prozac made me more nervous and I worried about getting addicted to the klonipin. (Intense worries like that are part of the illness)

"Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Claire Weekes is an amazing book. It was written in 1962 by a female family practice doctor in Australia and is the greatest resource someone with panic disorder could hope for. Her terminology is delightfully archaic but she understands every symptom, thought and nuance of panic disorder. You feel like she knows you and is speaking directly to you.

I was up a lot of nights with my heart pounding with chest pain and having difficulty breathing and hot flashes and reading her book (well, chapters 1-7 anyway) over and over again got me through it and got me back to normal.

http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Help-Nerves-Signet-ebook/dp/B009PFN4IQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379892156&sr=1-1&keywords=claire+weekes

Please read the Amazon reviews. The is a young doctor that wrote a particularly touching one about the book saving him as a medical student. A recurring theme in the reviews is how much they wish Dr Weekes was still alive so they could thank her.

It's $6.

I like doing the exercises, journal entry, and mood tracker on the Pacifica app! It's available for iOS and android. The only reason it needs your email is to send you weekly progress reports if you want them!

A book that has changed the way I view things is called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. It's a pretty small book with huge, yet simple ideas.

This book allowed me to improve my anxiety so much - I highly recommend it. The way the chapters are structured makes it really easy to learn and practice CBT yourself, and there are templates for worksheets.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapy-Relationships-Self-Help/dp/1444170295/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421683414&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+yourself+cbt

ZonLi Adults Weighted Blanket 20... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075W94KB3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I've been using it for about two weeks now and love it. It can get kinda warm, but it's not unbearable. I also have a fan directly over my bed. If I don't turn it on I've woken up too hot once or twice. I'm in Denver and we've had some pretty hot days since I got it.


EDIT: Sorry for the delay, I'm still figuring out how to use reddit on android. It doesn't tell me I have replies so I have to check everything. I figured this post was so old it was done.

Couple of things to try:

Check out Mini-habits to get you moving.

The other is to try to just focus on the process:

"When your goal is to pay attention to only what you are doing right now, as long as you are doing just that, you are reaching your goal in each and every moment" - Thomas M. Sterner from The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life

Lastly there is a great book by a writer on the battle to create and write called, The War of Art.

Just my two bitcoins - I hope it helps. Hang in there!

I've started taking this before flights, it helps a lot.

Source Naturals Theanine Serene, 120 Tablets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GFJJG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_RSXZxb6KGPV5Q

Sounds like Obsessive/Intrusive Thoughts, which are very very common with anxiety. If it's negatively impacting your life, I definitely recommend seeing a therapist. If you're unable to, I found this book was lots of help, even though I have no compulsions, just the obsessions.

My favorite is Drip Drop powder, but liquid Pedialyte is a good second.

Sure man... there's some great TED talks out there:

Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability

Jane McGonigal: The game that can give you 10 extra years of life

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are

And if you change your mind about the books:

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook

The Highly Sensitive Person

I just stopped biting a two or three weeks ago. I'm using Mavala Stop (literally the grossest thing I have ever tasted) and using Duri Rejuvacote to get them to grow faster... (not sure about the results yet :) Congrats to you! We're all gonna make it :)

At Last a Life is good, but it's essentially plagiarizing Dr. Claire Weekes Pass Through Panic. I highly recommend these audio tapes, they saved my life. http://www.amazon.com/Pass-Through-Panic-Freeing-Yourself/dp/1565119703

While not necessarily a "self-help" book and not specifically directed at people with anxiety, I've found "Party of One" (A Loner's Manifesto) a pretty good read, especially if you've been alone for most of your life.

When my wife had our son I was throwing up a lot, the nurses were more focused on me than my wife. One of them gave me one of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P4C8N2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_tabWCbN7YHFYG

I've been looking into getting one too. I thought this one looked interesting.

College is especially tough for Introverts, almost as bad as High School! If not worse. You can't generalize about the behavior of an entire species like that, although I still wrestle with that thought myself from time to time. Go to libraries and cafes and maybe you'll meet an introverted boyfriend! It's essential for an introvert to have at least one person they are close to, but don't feel bad if you don't have that, he/she will come!

Check out either or both of these books, they spoke to me and helped me a lot:

http://www.amazon.com/Party-One-The-Loners-Manifesto/dp/1569245134

http://www.amazon.com/The-Introvert-Advantage-Thrive-Extrovert/dp/0761123695/ref=pd_sim_b_2

So i did spend the 200 dollars on one and i gotta say it was wellllll worth it but it took about 3 days to get used to.

actually just checking amazon the price dropped
link to blanket

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/1878424319/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z989SNTCA5H5MR73G828

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0452289963/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496874603&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=A+new+earth&dpPl=1&dpID=51n4Kwlv5bL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Thinking-Overcome-Depression/dp/1600940528

You sound like CBT would help you. It is focussed on changing harmful cognitions. This book will be a great start and really open your eyes into the shit you put yourself through but also look into seeing a psychologist who has CBT training. You language about manning up etc. is classic beating yourself up behaviour and a key driver to anxiety. PM me if you want more advice.

Hey Bob, I found it on Amazon (hope its right one): http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1565119703?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

From the reviews this looks promising. Just ordered, should arrive Tuesday. Can't wait to try this.

Is this the book you're talking about?

I haven't been diagnosed with TMJ or anything but I definitely grind my teeth at night, have awful headaches all the time, and often wake up with tightness in my jaw and neck. I've used mouthguards at night for years. The only ones I'd reccommend are these since they're really small and you wouldn't notice you were wearing it after a little while: https://www.amazon.com/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Dental-Guard/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1487231612&sr=8-2&keywords=dentek+mouth+guard

Are you still seeing a psychiatrist? Lexapro seems to be the way to go for anxiety. Fish oil doesn't do anything for anxiety. If you want to take a vitamin for anxiety take this: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFJJG0

Mavala Stop. You will stop putting your fingers near your mouth after about a week at the max.

I relate to a lot of this. Lots of anxiety in my family, on both sides. I was born and raised to have anxious tendencies. First thing you should take to heart: you can get through this and get better than you've ever been before.

It sounds like you realize your thoughts are the problem. Negative, irrational, horrible thoughts that just rip around and around your mind. You need to get control of them by learning to recognize them when they first arise and to let them go. They are just thoughts. Peoples' minds throw lots and lots of thoughts at them to see what they're interested in. Anxious people take one look at a horrible thought and get transfixed by it. We brood over it for hours and hours. We wind up giving them all of our attention, and they make us feel horrible.

If you can't seek help until late August, buy this book: Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world. You can download it on your iPhone or iPad, Kindle, or whatever. Seriously, trust me on this one.

Here is an article where the author explains how mindfulness helped her get over a lifetime of anxiety. It has had profound effects on me as well. Its effects can take hold in a matter of days or weeks.

I'm doing ACT. Dunno if it'd help you or not but it feels like the anti-CBT for me. Rather than replacing thoughts, it's about not fusing/identifying with them.

If you're a book kind of person, I'm using Things Might Go Terribly Horribly Wrong (but I'm also seeing a therapist, too -- although I should add that I'm out of crisis now and into rebuilding.)

If nothing else you might find it a nice change from the "fix what's broken" approach. ACT's approach is more "everyone's broken to some extent, here's how to handle brokenness".

The "standard" book for ACT is Get Out Of Your Mind And Into Your Life.

You need to understand the cycle of anxiety in order to understand how your body convinces itself that shit is real.

The cylce is Initial fear > causes your nerves to release adrenaline > causes your body to create fight or flight symptoms > causes more fear > more adrenaline > more symptoms.

in short: fear > adrenaline > symptoms > more fear and so on.

The "cure" is to let go of the initial fear, that first warning sign, let it float and give it no meaning.

I'd highly suggest to you to read that book:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009PFN4IQ?ref=dbs_P_W_faw_dp

its a must for anyone who suffers from anxiety, a book from 1962 that teaches how to cure anxiety for good (not instantly tho).

So sorry to hear this. It sounds like you're experiencing intrusive violent thoughts; [this is very common, nothing to be ashamed of, and is nothing to fear.] (http://www.ocduk.org/types-ocd)

Have you ever been diagnosed with OCD or 'Pure O'? [Here is a booklet explaining the difference between mainstream clinical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Pure O.] (http://www.ocduk.org/pure-o)

tl;dr Pure O involves frequent distressing intrusive thoughts impacting quality of life, but which you lack compulsion to act on.

edit: OK knife-checking, I spoke too soon sorry; so it's more likely you have mainstream clinical OCD. As you can see on the links above, checking rituals are common compulsive behaviours with OCD and intrusive thoughts, but they reinforce the fear of uncertainty and thus increase anxiety around intrusive thoughts! It's a form of [magical thinking, a cognitive distortion very common for people who have
OCD to find themselves engaging in.] (http://evolutioncounseling.com/magical-thinking/)

The important thing to remember is thoughts are not facts! Just because you think, say, that you want to slap someone (let's keep it mild for now) doesn't mean that you'll actually do it. So it is with even the most severe thoughts of harming, even killing someone. In fact, the very fact you are extremely distressed about these thoughts, is a good sign that you're unlikely to act on them! :) Psychopaths and sociopaths wouldn't think twice about such thoughts and might even indulge them. Likewise, those most at risk of suicide have a much more passive, resigned acceptance of fate, with a troubling lack of being affected by such serious ideas, almost at peace with the idea of death,. You are here screaming "I don't want to die," which strongly suggests that these are intrusive thoughts, and not suicidal intentions or ideations.

What differs the average person from a OCD or Pure O sufferer is the significance that they attach to intrusive thoughts. Most people can just have them metaphorically go in one ear, out the other.However, people on the OCD and anxiety spectrum are more prone to have fears of loss of control and identify as a person who appreciates control. Therefore they perceive lack of control, even over one's thoughts, as more of a moral character flaw than the average person. This means that the thought distresses them even more, exacerbating stress symptoms and anxiety, increasing a fear of intrusive thoughts and their significance, increasing the feeling that one needs to perform a compulsion and creating a vicious cycle.

As an example of a sexual intrusive thought… A person not suffering from OCD might think for 10 seconds something awful like "man, I'd love to sleep with my friend's 14-year old daughter, she's really hot" but then they'd briefly notice it, think "wow, what a silly thought, the mind is a weird thing sometimes haha" and carry on with their day. Contrast to a person with OCD who may have such a thought, then ruminate over whether they are secretly a pedophile and ephebophile, tell themselves "I am an awful person and must be punished or arrested for thinking such disgusting criminal thoughts," catalysing a crippling depression and social phobia from fear of hurting children.

So the most important parts of recovery are to accept:

i) I am not 100% in control of my thoughts, and that is OK

ii) Just because I have a passing thought, doesn't mean I want to act on it

iii) Just because I think bad things, doesn't mean I am a bad person

All of this can be conditioned into your mind by practicing some form of mindfulness such as meditation on a regular basis, and getting in the hang of observing one's thoughts and feelings, without judging them or attaching any significance to them. Just observe, and let it pass.

The r/OCD sub specialises in these issues, but we can support too. Do you have a university counsellor to speak to? Mine were very helpful when I was at my worst, as was my GP. They'll explain everything I have in more detail.

If you don't have specialist support available, I cannot recommend these books enough.

1. Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts, by Purdon&Clark
   
   
2. Brain Lock, by Jeffrey M. Schwartz
   
   Remember-you are NOT what these thoughts say you are. I believe that you are a good person. But, in the long run this reassurance that the thoughts are nothing to be afraid of should not come from me or anyone else, or it'll create a reassurance-seeking cycle of checking behaviours. It's up to you, to teach yourself this. But I have faith in you.
   
   
   Take it easy friend :) good luck! Here if you have any questions.

Yes, I have panic disorder and my main symptom is a fear of dying. It is usually brought on by physical symptoms (chest pain is my most common symptom) and at my worst I was having obsessive thoughts almost constantly and developed agoraphobia.

Medication has helped me. So has my mother. She also has panic disorder and its nice to have someone to talk to and relate to. I would not have made it as far as I have without her.

I'm still terrified. I still have obsessive thoughts sometimes, but I'm slowly learning that it means that I need to live my life to its fullest potential. I think what scares me most is how you can be alive one second and dead the next (accident/homicide/etc) and I more fear the absence of my life than actually dying. The fact that I will cease to exist terrifies me.

I think about it a lot when I drive (I'm scared of car accidents) and when I hear tragic stories on the news. I hate myself for it, but I always put myself in the victims shows and try and imagine what happened. Horrid.

I don't know how to cope with it yet. I don't know if anyone truly does. But reading Things Might Go Terribly Horribly Wrong. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1572247118/ref=redir_mdp_mobile