the need to obsess..

rachel10 · Post by **rachel10** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:50 pm

Does anyone else feel the need to obsess over something. It is like no matter how much i want to stop thinking whatever it is i'm thinking (typically heath related concerns) i feel that i cannot fully stop. Since beginning the program, my thoughts have begun to decrease, however, i still struggle with this. It is as if something inside of me WANTS to obsess. As if my mind gets bored if i am not constantly occupying myself with these horrible/scary thoughts. I go through bouts of this...in the past few months, i have gotten myself to believe that i have/had a brain tumor/cancer/aids/heart problems...anything that has to do with a main organ or is deadly, i could probably exhibit a symptom and have myself convinced that i have it. But, when i am not convincing myself that i have some sort of deadly ailment or when i am finally convincing myself of the opposite, my mind doesn't know what to do with itself. The immediate thing is to imagine that i am suffering from something else. So frustrating!
Can anyone else relate??

scaredcindy · Post by **scaredcindy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:10 pm

I just wanted to let you know that I have the exact same problem. I have been this way for 22 years. I have always obsessed over one disease or the other. I hope the program will work for you and for me. How are you doing so far? I am on Section 2. What section are you on?

rachel10 · Post by **rachel10** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:22 pm

I am just beginning the fourth week...but i feel that i haven't been able to commit the proper amount of time each week...i am leaving in two weeks for a semester abroad in china and so i am busy working/trying to get ready/mentally prepare for four months away that i find myself a little behind during the week. I think it will help..it has already - i have been able to discover ways of calming myself down.
have you been doing better since beginning the program?

scaredcindy · Post by **scaredcindy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:29 pm

I hope your trip goes well. I couldn't even imagine trying to do what you're doing. I have been very depressed the past two to three weeks and stressing over medical tests. They all came back normal but I got myself so worked up over them before the results came back that I am now sick and am finding it difficult to come out of the depression. I am sticking with the Progam though. How long do you spend on each Section?

Lima · Post by **Lima** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:35 pm

This program is like a building block. You learn skills that are appropriate in time to help you make transition from a certain condition to a better one. You can think of an object or a nice event that you can focus on as soon as you begin to get fixated on the condition you described. You can also write some affirmations and read them all day - meaning several times per day and a week later you can read them daily to begin your day and before going to bed. I believe Lucinda 's flashcards have things you can include into your affirmations.

ReeseCup · Post by **ReeseCup** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:50 pm

Rachel,
I also suffered from being a hypochondriac for years. CONSTANTLY thinking I had one disease or another or that I was going to die from some off the wall freak accident. I would go to the ER about once a week thinking I was dying over different things each time. I would beg them to keep me there, but they said I was fine. I did not sleep at night because I was afraid that I might not wake up. I couldnt be alone...I totally understand what you are going through. Believe it or not I am finally doing SO much better over that. I taught my mind that my symptoms were not real (over about 2 years) and now when I start feeling like something is wrong with me I just say oh that's my anxiety, I am fine and try to think about something else and it usually goes away and doesnt scare me anymore. Also, I find myself obsessing over certain things and I literally cannot stop thinking about them either. You must be doing okay to be able to travel like that though! I would be scared to death to travel and be away from my comfort zone. I hope you do well in China.

Dhylles · Post by **Dhylles** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:10 am

i too have the constant need to obsess and every body symptoms i feel that i have aids/going to have a heart attack/have a tumor and so forth. plus i have ibs along with it. so i know exactly how all of you feel. when i am distracted doing other things and have no time to obsess or have the need to think about these awful negative thoughts that are not real but once get some time not to think i have the need to obsess especially about having aids and even with the fact that i got tested and it came out negative, really did not seem to give me the peace of mind i needed. i am glad to know that there are others like me that can relate to my issues. but my problem is that i had self hatred and i would use sex as a drug due to bein abused as a child and having failed relationships with men in my life has caused me to have these horrible thoughts of myself.