obsessive thoughts without compulsions

[mandapanda928]

Has anyone experienced this? I've had it for two years now a little over and it only happens when I get really stressed out which leads to anxiety which leads to depression then more racing obsessive thoughts. I mean I can have the same thought for sometimes hours sometimes days, its the worst feeling in the world because they are not pleasant thoughts and they make me feel guilty,crazy,sad,and suicidal. PLEASE help and opinions. I'm going to see my therapist thursday to see if I can get on anafranil. I'm hoping that it will help. THIS is my biggest problem and has always been since my anxiety and depression and mood swings started, it is for that very reason that I have obsessive disturbing thoughts. What shouuld I do?

[mandapanda928]

i use klonopin and it sometimes helps but not all the time, ive tried everything i just dont know what to do , maybe they will go away on their own. Or maybe because i have anxiety ill just be living with them, and hopefully ill just learn to get used to them and deal with them without getting depressed or having anxiety

[Anneinside]

You can certainly have obsessive thoughts without compulsions, as they are two very different things. One is mental the other is behavioral. When I have an obsessive thought, I visualize a container with a lid (mine is blue ceramic crock with a cork lid) and put the thought in it. Put on the lid firmly. Sometimes it takes me many times of repeating this to be able to get relief.

[mixedsalad]

p.s.  I never have compulsion normally.  When I am in a mixed episode - well that's different, but I don't think that is what you mean when you speak of obsessive/compulsive tendencies.

[mixedsalad]

When I have breakthrough obsessive thoughts, anxiety or panic I use xanax.

[mandapanda928]

I try but I can't seem to get myself to relax :( I did it for an hour today but ill keep on doing it everyday to form a routine and hopefully it'll start helping. Thank you for helping

[lindahand]

Have you ever tried meditation. It will probably be really slow going, but it is worth a shot. The biggest thing is to suspend judgement of yourself. There is no one right way to meditate. If your thoughts wander off to your compulsion 50 times, then 50 times you just gently bring yourself back to the breath. Even 5 minutes I find really helps settle my anxiety. Because if you can get your breathing under control it is like giving your body the 'all clear' sign. It relaxes and gives you the ability to cope better. It may not remove the compulsion, but may help you deal better with it.