Stress Center Peer Support

onix, the person who said your thoughts can lead to violent acts must not have anxiety themselves. I have had bad thought for my entire life. I have never been hospitalized. But I do fear that I might some day. I am 26 years old and am getting tired of the way I feel also. I live in st.louis and we recently have had some minor earthquakes. People keep freaking me out by thinking that it possibly will get worse. I also have avoided going to the mall and doing fun things because I am afraid of "ruining everyone's fun" and embarassing myself. I have listened to the relaxation tapes twice this past week to help me sleep. It works! But I still have to work on my thoughts. We can all do this together. I am so glad I went on this website. I never knew this forum was on here. I feel better already.
I tried to go to the baseball game last night with my boyfriend and I only lasted one inning. My whole body felt like "pins and needles" I go completely numb after awhile and I can't sit still. I cried forever last night and didnt' sleep much. Today and work I feel tired, and have baggy eyes. all I can do is feel sorry about myself and wondering if the people who gave me tickets will be angry with me. Like I wasted their money.
In college I often felt like I would lose control and hurt myself even if I truly didn't want to. I have never hurt myself or anyone else. So I know it won't happen. It won't happen for you either I just know it! We just have to take it one day at a time. We are good people and we can't let our thoughts control us.
I think I have ocd also but in smaller ways. I check the door at night several time before I go to bed just to make sure it is locked. I also check my car door a million times to make sure it is locked. I feel I can't go anywhere without my boyfriend or my mom or someone I am familiar with that understands my anxiety and doesn't think I am "crazy".I just overwhelm my self so bad that I feel That I can't control myself sometimes. But I know that my family and god loves me and that I am a good person, and that you are a good person. We can do this!

Hi all

I really wan't to get better, but it all goes so slowly.I am afraid that it will never go away, and that I will never be normal again I am improving, but it is just happening so slow. How much time will I be like this? My anxiety is almost gone but my thoughts still remain.

No, obsessive scary thoughts are NOT from suppressed anger and you will NOT act on these thoughts. You were born predisposed to OCD (which includes obsessive scary thinking.) You are not a freak of nature. Obsessive thinking is quite common. For some reason we phobics are very subject to scary thoughts. It's just the nature of the beast. There is no other explanation and the sooner you accept that the better you will begin to feel.

Obsessive scary thinking can be cured. Keep away from people who do not support you. They don't know what they are talking about. Anytime you have a question ask people who know what they are talking about. Experienced people who have gone through this disorder. This particular forum is an excellent source of information that will help you along your path to healing.

StressCenter Program is a wonderful approach to healing. Also Freedom from Fear by Dr. Howard Liebgold. There is hope. Work these programs. Follow their exercises and you will heal.

I'd like to add that your cure is when you can still hear the thoughts but you are no longer afraid of them. They will become less and less because you are no longer emotionally attached to them. When you can dismiss them you will have found your peace. Healing is not the absence of these thoughts. If you still have these thoughts don't make an issue out of it. Practice allowing the thoughts to come and go - like you would watch a passing cloud. It doesn't matter one way or the other if those thoughts are there. Practice this. You will heal.

I have never been to this website, but I am crying as I read about everyone's experiences, which are a mirror image of the ones I'm having right now.

My friends would say that I am one of the nicest people they have ever met. I would go to the ends of the earth for my friends, my spouse, my family, even my pets.

But lately, I have been haunted by horrible, violent thoughts about harming myself or other people who I love. I had them one time before, when I was a teenager, and now they have returned - 20 years later.

I know they're from the extreme stress I'm under right now (long story...) but still they are absolutely horrifying and I can't seem to concentrate on anything else. In turn, they make the anxiety I'm already experiencing so, so much worse.

I will definitely look up the suggested books... thanks to all of you for those. But I feel so much better knowing there are other people out there who feel the same way. (Although I am very sorry that you are feeling that way!!)