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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
I'm not sure whether this should go here or in social (because it's not T related, but not really suited to social either).
For several years I've had images (and sometimes feelings) that flash in to my brain, usually of me killing myeslf, or SI, and sometimes of me just falling to the floor, like crumpling. Some of the images are pretty horrific, and I try to just ignore them, but they are distracting, particularly if I'm talking to someone/in a tutorial etc, and I loose the thread of the conversation. It tends to happen more when I'm more severely depressed, but even when I'm ok it can happen, just out of the blue. Most of the time they don't really bother me (because I know they're just images), but when something new or more graphic happens I get preoccupied with it.
I've mused the idea (and my pdoc has) about whether they are a type of OCD, ie compulsive thinking.
Does anyone else have this kind of thing? Has anyone got any ideas how to cope with them better, or stop the thoughts altogether?
Thanks, Cubic_me
Posted by one woman cine on February 12, 2007, at 11:20:57
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
It depends - it could be OCD - repetitive, disturbing images are a symptom of sometypes of OCD -
could also be PTSD and few other things - can you talk about this with a therapist?
Sometimes a med to combat the OCD could help (dopamine agonist - like geodon) or DBT - dpends where the images are coming from and why...
good luck.
Posted by happykat on February 12, 2007, at 15:35:41
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
Hey cubic_me,
Have you looked into the possibility of PTSD at all. I've had images pop up that have been more related to things from my past. I've never considered images and OCD. But I could see how that could work too. Do you have any other PTSD type symptoms?
Be well and stay safe.
Regards,
kat
Posted by peddidle on February 12, 2007, at 17:31:03
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
I think I understand what you are saying. I sometimes have these, and other related images, too. I'm not really sure how to deal with them myself. Sometimes I literally shake my head until they go away, or I try to substitute it with a different image. It doesn't usually work, but I guess they're little habits I've acquired to try and deal with the images.
I don't really know how to help you, but I just wanted you to know that you are not the only one who has this problem.
Posted by bil on February 12, 2007, at 17:48:10
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
Hello, Cubic-me;
I have this problem, too...I've always thought it was something that I had a problem with; I even tried looking on the web for info about it but couldn't find anything helpful.It's interesting that it might be OCD- that would make sense, because I do have other symptoms of that. It can be VERY distressing sometimes; if I'm depressed it gets worse. Reading bad and graphic things in the newspapers can trigger it- I've got images stuck in my head from things I've read years ago, and when I'm having a bad day they come back to plague me.
I know this might sound like a strange way to deal with it, but it does sometimes work for me... I took an alternative-type healing class about a year ago, where the instructor taught us an 'aura cleansing' technique. We would put a few drops of an essential oil on our hands, and sweep around our heads and bodies to brush negative energy away from ourselves.
When I get the images now, I sometimes do this- it does seem to help... I try to visualise them as being like cobwebs and I am brushing them away.
They do come back, of course- but it does give me relief temporarily, and I feel like I am gaining some control over it.bil
Posted by pegasus on February 12, 2007, at 19:34:43
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
I've had this too. I used to have it a lot, especially when stressed or depressed. It happened almost every time I had to travel for work. Made it almost impossible to get any sleep. Very disturbing images of extreme violence to myself, mainly. I'd be two people in the thoughts - the aggressive self attacking the helpless self.
I never found a great way to deal with it, other than to take my ipod travelling, and listen to soothing spoken-word meditations at night. Still didn't get much sleep, but it was more peaceful.
Those thoughts have gone away from me over time. It may be related to being on Paxil now. Paxil did get rid of some other obsessions that I used to have, and maybe it's all related. I didn't notice a big all-of-a-sudden change when I went on Paxil, but maybe it's something that gains momentum over time.
Good luck. I wish I could offer some advice, but I really don't have any.
peg
Posted by cubic_me on February 13, 2007, at 6:05:28
In reply to Re: mental images *trigger* » cubic_me, posted by happykat on February 12, 2007, at 15:35:41
Thankyou both for your responses, I thought my answer would be along the same lines for both of you so I've put them together. I hope you don't mind.
>>could also be PTSD and few other things - can you talk about this with a therapist?
I briefly skimmed over it with my previous therapist, but didn't really get in to a discussion about it. She seemed to think it was something that would start to go away naturally as I became less depressed. However I have cyclical depression and even in the times where I'm ok I get these images.
>
> Have you looked into the possibility of PTSD at all. I've had images pop up that have been more related to things from my past. I've never considered images and OCD. But I could see how that could work too. Do you have any other PTSD type symptoms?I'm sorry you've experienced similar things too. I don't think it's PTSD associated for me, the images aren't related to anything in my past really, apart from exaggerations of what I have done to myself SI/suicide wise. They're not flashbacks, although they do seem to have that quality, perhaps because the first time that image came to me it was disturbing, but that seems to be trivialising flashbacks to *real* trauma, if you see what I mean.
Posted by cubic_me on February 13, 2007, at 6:41:13
In reply to Re: mental images *trigger*, posted by pegasus on February 12, 2007, at 19:34:43
> I've had this too. I used to have it a lot, especially when stressed or depressed. It happened almost every time I had to travel for work. Made it almost impossible to get any sleep. Very disturbing images of extreme violence to myself, mainly. I'd be two people in the thoughts - the aggressive self attacking the helpless self.
I find it interesting that you also had two types of images - those of violence to yourself and being helpless. I get that too, though at different times, rather than the same image.
I'm so glad you've found they've got less frequent, that's fantastic, and maybe gives us all a bit of hope!
Posted by cubic_me on February 13, 2007, at 6:47:21
In reply to Re: mental images *trigger*, posted by peddidle on February 12, 2007, at 17:31:03
Aww, thankyou peddidle, it's good to know I'm not alone, it can be scary sometimes. I hope you manage to find some way of reducing/stopping them happening too.
Cubic_me
Posted by cubic_me on February 13, 2007, at 6:59:59
In reply to Re: mental images *trigger*, posted by bil on February 12, 2007, at 17:48:10
> Hello, Cubic-me;
> I have this problem, too...I've always thought it was something that I had a problem with; I even tried looking on the web for info about it but couldn't find anything helpful.I couldn't find anything either.
>
> It's interesting that it might be OCD- that would make sense, because I do have other symptoms of that.I don't have other classic symptoms of OCD, but I have noticed I get obsessive thoughts about death and sometimes words or phrases come in to my head for no reason.
>It can be VERY distressing sometimes; if I'm depressed it gets worse. Reading bad and graphic things in the newspapers can trigger it- I've got images stuck in my head from things I've read years ago, and when I'm having a bad day they come back to plague me.
>
> I know this might sound like a strange way to deal with it, but it does sometimes work for me... I took an alternative-type healing class about a year ago, where the instructor taught us an 'aura cleansing' technique. We would put a few drops of an essential oil on our hands, and sweep around our heads and bodies to brush negative energy away from ourselves.That sounds like an interesting way to deal with it. I'm not really one to go for alternative healing, but I can see how it would be really benificial if you could really believe in it.
>
> When I get the images now, I sometimes do this- it does seem to help... I try to visualise them as being like cobwebs and I am brushing them away.That's a good way of thinking about it, I tend to think of them as waves washing over me, so the thoughts are there, but not getting in to my brain, if that makes sense.
> They do come back, of course- but it does give me relief temporarily, and I feel like I am gaining some control over it.
Posted by one woman cine on February 13, 2007, at 11:34:39
In reply to Re: mental images *trigger*- one woman cine + kat, posted by cubic_me on February 13, 2007, at 6:05:28
As I said, it still might be OCD....
"Diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), appear in Table 1.3 The criteria allow for either obsessions or compulsions, but both are usually present. Obsessions are defined as distressing ideas, images or impulses that repeatedly intrude into the patient's awareness. These thoughts are typically experienced as inappropriate, anxiety-arousing and contrary to the patient's will or desires (i.e., ego dystonic). Typical obsessional themes include thoughts of contamination by dirt or germs, worries that the doors are unlocked or the stove has been left on, or intrusive images of family members being hurt or killed.
"
Posted by Scentedgarden on February 13, 2007, at 17:08:49
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
Posted by Dinah on February 13, 2007, at 17:51:02
In reply to mental images *trigger*, posted by cubic_me on February 12, 2007, at 11:10:10
I have had this. In fact, I'm waking up to it every morning lately. I think it's likely related to my OCD.
The thing that helps me most is to take them lightly, and it sounds as if you're doing that.
In fact I was sort of making fun of my waking thoughts the other day with my husband, when I suddenly remembered that he doesn't take things like that at all well. It led to a less than pleasant conversation with him. :( Therapists are so darn useful.
This is the end of the thread.
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