My Thougts Aren't My Own

GeneralLee · 04-20-2009, 02:46 AM

My title is a little more drastic than the reality of the situation. My thoughts are my own, but occasionally I'll get flashes of thoughts; a picture, a sound, even a simple formless impression of things that I'd rather not go into detail about. These flashes are not thoughts I would normally have, or would ever want to have, but happen nonetheless. They aren't accompanied by a desire or compulsion to act out what is happening in the flash, the reverse is actually true; I find them repulsive or disgusting. I'm bothered by these flashes because I don't control them, they pop up and are gone just as quickly, no more than a fraction of a fraction of a heartbeat. Still, I feel sometimes like I'm not in control of my own mind and I don't like it. An example not related to these flash-thoughts involves me visualizing something as simple as a ball rolling down a flight of stairs. Nine times out of ten the scenario will play out normally, then one time out of the ten things just skew radically and the ball will bounce then take off flying around the room. I have no history of mental illness or instability and none of this has ever impacted my day to day life, but it can eat at my peace of mind from time to time that I don't have absolute control over what happens in my own head. Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

Miss Firecracker · 04-20-2009, 02:52 AM

Pure O? Just guessing, but you can do research and see if you think so. If you took the step to ask about this I'm guessing it must be causing a lot of distress so thought I'd mention this as a possibility.

CrazyKing · 04-20-2009, 03:21 AM

That sounds like a form of schizophrenia, seriously...

natalie121687 · 04-20-2009, 03:34 AM

I think I have had similiar experiences. Is it like, an evil thought will come through your head and you will keep telling yourself, no no STOP thinking about that.. But the more you tell yourself not to think about it, the more it keeps fighting to come back.. And then you feel guilty for thinking about it even though you couldn't control it? I think it has to do with some sort of OCD but I am not sure.

natalie121687 · 04-20-2009, 03:38 AM

These are recurrent, persistent and unwanted thoughts that cause the person much anxiety/distress.
Besides coming under the form of thoughts, they can also be images or impulses that will repeat themselves and are experienced to be unwanted, intrusive and inappropriate.
The person feels overwhelmed by the obsessions as they seem to intrude in every aspect of their thinking and are very disturbing thus triggering much anxiety and discomfort.
They will try hard to suppress the thought/images/impulses and/or try to "neutralize" them by other thoughts or specific actions.
They do realize the thought to be a product of their own mind, although with children it can be they sense it to be "a voice" that is telling them to do bad things.
The Obsessions and what they stand for are often in harsh contrast with the person's own convictions and beliefs which makes their impact only greater.
Obsessions are accompanied by uncomfortable feelings or wanting things to be done "Just Right".

poison ivy · 04-20-2009, 03:43 AM

Yes, it does sound like the beginnings of OCD. I strongly suggest you see a psychologist at this early stage because the likelihood of it getting better sooner is very good. If you leave it too long it will become worse and you might need to go on medication for it as well as go through intensive therapy.

Some tips: treat a thought as just that - a thought. Just because you think something, doesn't mean it's true and it also doesn't say anything about you as a person. Also, EVERYONE experiences obtrusive thoughts every now and then. The key is letting these thoughts come and go without getting too caught up in them.

sarey · 04-20-2009, 04:23 AM

Sounds like OCD. I have OCD and I get obsessive, intrusive thoughts, as well as compulsions.

Go see a professional.

Nkaleidoscopic · 04-20-2009, 05:25 AM

At least you're not normal.

mr me · 04-20-2009, 06:04 AM

I will say that going to see a professional can help but i dont always think thats enough. I would try to learn some stuff about OCD and maybe see that alot of ppl suffer or have it so you dont feel like its just you. Also there are alot of different types of OCD so it can be certain things for certain people. Its also usually brought on or worsen by stress so sometimes just finding better ways to deal with stress or eliminating things that stress you out can also help.

sarey · 04-20-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nkaleidoscopic

At least you're not normal.

Some people nowadays would love to be normal compared to what they have to deal with.

04-20-2009, 02:46 AM	#1
GeneralLee Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 202	My Thougts Aren't My Own My title is a little more drastic than the reality of the situation. My thoughts are my own, but occasionally I'll get flashes of thoughts; a picture, a sound, even a simple formless impression of things that I'd rather not go into detail about. These flashes are not thoughts I would normally have, or would ever want to have, but happen nonetheless. They aren't accompanied by a desire or compulsion to act out what is happening in the flash, the reverse is actually true; I find them repulsive or disgusting. I'm bothered by these flashes because I don't control them, they pop up and are gone just as quickly, no more than a fraction of a fraction of a heartbeat. Still, I feel sometimes like I'm not in control of my own mind and I don't like it. An example not related to these flash-thoughts involves me visualizing something as simple as a ball rolling down a flight of stairs. Nine times out of ten the scenario will play out normally, then one time out of the ten things just skew radically and the ball will bounce then take off flying around the room. I have no history of mental illness or instability and none of this has ever impacted my day to day life, but it can eat at my peace of mind from time to time that I don't have absolute control over what happens in my own head. Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

04-20-2009, 03:21 AM	#3
CrazyKing Offline Silver Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Parties, parties, parties... Gender: Male Age: 24 Posts: 1,040	That sounds like a form of schizophrenia, seriously... __________________ The most beautiful song I've ever heard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c98iGXIeia4 :)

04-20-2009, 03:43 AM	#6
poison ivy Offline Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 108	Yes, it does sound like the beginnings of OCD. I strongly suggest you see a psychologist at this early stage because the likelihood of it getting better sooner is very good. If you leave it too long it will become worse and you might need to go on medication for it as well as go through intensive therapy. Some tips: treat a thought as just that - a thought. Just because you think something, doesn't mean it's true and it also doesn't say anything about you as a person. Also, EVERYONE experiences obtrusive thoughts every now and then. The key is letting these thoughts come and go without getting too caught up in them. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------- “Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep...”

04-20-2009, 05:25 AM	#8
Nkaleidoscopic Offline Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: US Posts: 413	At least you're not normal. __________________ eNA is my personal therapist.

04-20-2009, 02:52 AM	#2
Miss Firecracker Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 4,157	Pure O? Just guessing, but you can do research and see if you think so. If you took the step to ask about this I'm guessing it must be causing a lot of distress so thought I'd mention this as a possibility.

04-20-2009, 03:34 AM	#4
natalie121687 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Gender: Female Age: 21 Posts: 111	I think I have had similiar experiences. Is it like, an evil thought will come through your head and you will keep telling yourself, no no STOP thinking about that.. But the more you tell yourself not to think about it, the more it keeps fighting to come back.. And then you feel guilty for thinking about it even though you couldn't control it? I think it has to do with some sort of OCD but I am not sure.

04-20-2009, 03:38 AM	#5
natalie121687 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Gender: Female Age: 21 Posts: 111	These are recurrent, persistent and unwanted thoughts that cause the person much anxiety/distress. Besides coming under the form of thoughts, they can also be images or impulses that will repeat themselves and are experienced to be unwanted, intrusive and inappropriate. The person feels overwhelmed by the obsessions as they seem to intrude in every aspect of their thinking and are very disturbing thus triggering much anxiety and discomfort. They will try hard to suppress the thought/images/impulses and/or try to "neutralize" them by other thoughts or specific actions. They do realize the thought to be a product of their own mind, although with children it can be they sense it to be "a voice" that is telling them to do bad things. The Obsessions and what they stand for are often in harsh contrast with the person's own convictions and beliefs which makes their impact only greater. Obsessions are accompanied by uncomfortable feelings or wanting things to be done "Just Right".

04-20-2009, 04:23 AM	#7
sarey Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: In the UK, somewhere... Gender: Female Posts: 1,438	Sounds like OCD. I have OCD and I get obsessive, intrusive thoughts, as well as compulsions. Go see a professional.

04-20-2009, 06:04 AM	#9
mr me Offline Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 851	I will say that going to see a professional can help but i dont always think thats enough. I would try to learn some stuff about OCD and maybe see that alot of ppl suffer or have it so you dont feel like its just you. Also there are alot of different types of OCD so it can be certain things for certain people. Its also usually brought on or worsen by stress so sometimes just finding better ways to deal with stress or eliminating things that stress you out can also help.