Want to go out today but feel a little nervous. What if I think intrusive thoughts, or this threatening person does something to me today? Just want to stay calm.
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How do I stay sane? Last time I tried closing my eyes or singing a song to block out these voices.
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Some things I do to calm down are:
Put an ice pack on the back of your head. This will cool down your brain and reduce activity in your limbic system, where emotions happen.
Do a task with simple, clear steps. I like baking. I follow the recipe, and it’s easy enough that I don’t get frustrated, but it requires enough concentration that I don’t have room to think about other things. Cleaning also helps.
Engage your five senses. This will remind you what is real and what isn’t. Listen to soothing music. Smell something pleasant, like an essential oil. Suck on a hard candy. Look at pictures of things you enjoy. Feel something with an interesting texture, like a piece of Velcro or a stress ball.
Try to move something with your mind. It won’t work, obviously, but it will get you to focus all your attention on a single focal point, so you stop thinking about your anxiety. I do this one when I’m nervous on airplanes, because it doesn’t require any movement or materials.
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People upstairs are listening to me again they’re laughing
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That must be annoying, maybe ask them politely to quiet down. I hope that works.
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I think its not them but you might be hearing things again and maybe your paranoia getting to you again @roxanna
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Sorry I hijacked your thread.
Hi @Ninjastar, I was wondering if I should go out today? I really want to but feel my thoughts are taking control of my life. I have a fear of celebrities and do not want to think about them. I also do not want people to read my mind my intrusive thoughts they are getting worse. I am so desperate on how to cope, Someone said I should not attend CBT group, I think she thinks I do not have OCD intrusive thoughts. Maybe something bad will happen if I go. I hate thinking, I want to go out but what if I panic and think all these intrusive thoughts and have people hearing or seeing them. Some people I have heard would like to get to know me but I am obsessed being on television. I also think more negatively about myself these days. I used to be more outgoing and cheerful about 2 years ago.
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So afraid something bad might happen.
@see121, You feel people are reading your mind, you may be feeling down, and you also have OCD symptoms. I would tell it to my pdoc.
I wish I could go out
Hi @Ranjeeth, why can’t you go out?
If I was in your shoes, I would try going out, but remember my coping skills so I could calm myself if I felt a panic attack coming on.
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I try to remember that most people are not interested in what I am doing and if someone judges me it’s their problem not mine. If I start getting really anxious I try focus on breathing properly
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fight the fear of going out…eventually after a few times you will feel better…nothing to be afraid of…nobody is going to hurt you…are you on meds?
Hi @jukebox sometimes I fear going out afraid of getting certain thoughts and getting more intrusive thoughts also I have slight paranoia out of my comfort zone.
that’s not good to stay in all the time…if you don’t go out once in a while it is harder to finally go out at all !! you sound like me before I had my first major panic attack…after that I wouldn’t leave the house unless my mom went with me to the store for example. after I went out with her about three times I learned I could face the crowds with a smile inside that I beat my panic disorder…you have to tell yourself “so what if I get a panic attack?” and believe it…takes practice…you might try taking small walks outdoors…
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I just have no car or friends really
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Maybe travel by bus or take a walk, it is fun to go exploring by oneself.
Hey! Headphones always work for me when I’m paranoid. Also message a friend to keep your mind on something else throughout the day. Hope this helps!
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