Has anyone had intrusive thoughts before?, I suffer with anxiety and have done my entire life. I have had the odd weird thought like what would happen if I drove into the river, how would I save the kids?... except last night I had a nightmare that I stabbed my husband and I woke up terrified and shaking and in the middle of a panic attack. I finally settled back to sleep and woke this morning to my brain saying "you remember that dream". I said to myself don't be silly you wouldn't hurt your husband, just like you wouldn't hurt your children. Then I had a scary thought of omg what would happen if you stabbed the kids. Everytime these thoughts came up my heart went crazy and I felt sick. I went and saw my psychologist today who said this is actually really normal and alot of people won't ever admit it. How did you all fully get through this?. Iv literally asked the other half to hide all of our sharp knives because I have been in so much fear over the last Day and would never want any harm to come to my family, I'm literally one of the most empathetic people which is why I'm so horrified. Please help with advice.
5 Replies
It’s a totally normal symptom to have if you’re suffering from anxiety/depression. If you are getting concerned about it you need to see your GP to talk about the possibility of meds (if you aren’t on any, or you need to change dosage). Also treatment in the form of CBT therapy may help. The important thing is to get help because you are likely to dwell on and stress about the fact you are having these intrusive thoughts and that can make things worse. Good on you for knowing that these thoughts are intrusive and not who you are.
Please understand that dreams are not premonitions. The content of our dreams are often representations of feelings rather than actions. The fact that you are feeling worried about your loved ones confirms your empathetic nature and the care you have for them. Your anxiety will likely trick your brain into over thinking and worrying unnecessarily about these thoughts which is is the very definition of anxiety. Well done for reaching out to your doctor and acknowledging your fears. I wish you well in your journey to overcome your concerns. Trust in the love you have for your family and the love they have for you. You are strong.
Totally normal, I get bad anxiety and I often think of things like that with the car. It’s so weird. I don’t think in the way that it’s somehting I would do but what if that happened and then all the scenarios go through my head. I also get it worse just before my period is due. I am back on anti depressants which helps quite a bit.
Highly recommended listening to the imperfecta podcast they did a really good episode on this.
Highly recommended listening to the imperfecta podcast they did a really good episode on this.