have you tried exercising? or going for long walks? I know there's no simple solution but sometimes when you exert yourself a lot (until you are breathless) it might help your body
and mind turn off the anxiety/energy/thoughts. I know it's horrible - I hope you can find a system that works for you.
Just talking about it sometimes helps too. Peace..

I'm still looking for my mental off switch, too. While I'm looking, I have tons of tricks I use, including physical exercise, which aren't as good as an off-switch, but they offer some relief. There is allot of trial and error to finding the trick that will work for any given go around.

What have you tried so far?

I feel you. I constantly want to avoid icky, ugly feelings but I also realized that in the long run it doesnt work that way. its impossible unless you have a healthy coping way to express it. Because you end up repressing it and it comes out in other toxic ways. Or it turns into a big monster that ruins things.
Ive been battling those monsters for years, and they seem to creep up on me when I feel weakest. Sigh, there will be bad days and good days, and I am learning to make friends with those monsters but thats something else thats too deep and complex to write about here.
My counselor said instead of suppressing it, let it come. scary as that sounds, just think of it as waves. coming and going, letting it go. Thats why a lot of people recommend mindfullness, help you stay grounded through those feelings. Its different for everyone but Id recommend it! and I like the tips already said here like walking or focusing on your breath. What helps me is thinking of things that make me happy! hope that helps & you find peace soon

I have horrible thoughts too..well they put me on Depekote. Now I can "let go" of most of them. Im serious.

Hypnosis might help.

It's funny - I fixate on repetitive thoughts as well. I always attributed it to anxiety. Come to find out a therapist diagnosed me with OCD-panic disorder. Do you see anyone? There are different things you can try to clear your mind; including medication.

I heartedly agree with Lucillegem, the best defense against is to attack by letting go. That's what I did. I used to have thoughts so disturbing that I'd hide, thinking I was insane. but then I turned the table on them and brought them to 'light'. I confronted them by snapping back, some of the thoughts I was having I would never do, ever! and I knew it so I treated them as a individual in my mind and would mock them as a separate entity and ridicule them (does that make sense?) it actually gave me some confidence to hear some one standing up for myself…Me! it gave me personal value.
there was always that worry that I was 'talking to myself' but I have realized we all talk to ourselves, that's half the reason many of us are here because we listen to hard criticism in our own head.
Self-value starts with self-care against self-loathing and self-abuse. You are one of the nicest people on here, always giving a kind and sympathetic word to those in need. Tell that to those disturbing thoughts with a hard slap!!!

Our minds are so complex. God has wired us all in different ways. Most of our problems come from disappointment. I have suffered for years with this problem you have, and it is so hard. We have been made to have our lives completed by having man/women to share life with. I have come to the conclusion from being on this site everyone is trying too find ways to extinguish this problem, But I know that only time and something beautiful that comes into your life will bring the healing. As we struggle in this life with loneliness and pain. There is one beautiful soul that is provided by God. When that happens you are on the way to healing. Do not listen to the world and its standard for how you should look or how you should act. Physical attraction will disappoint every time. Stand and look into the mirror and see the wonder and amazing work that God has created in you. Never try ever to be what you are not to be. Settle down and understand you are created with matchless beauty in your soul. The outward appearance means nothing. Those things that keep you up at night can be many things. But we have become disconnected with who we are because of the ugliness of this world. I will not pretend that I have a handle on anything for I am on this site also. But I do feel your pain and understand. I myself have spent countless hours at night with no sleep and more tears than I can count. But I do know this you are important you are special and we need unconditional love from those who can provide. All I can say in due time that will occur. Take advantage of it and begin the healing process. These precious hearts on this site are all struggling. But they all need that love as well as I. Precious one settle down and know that life is hard but there is beauty when you are looking in the right place. Believe me those late night mental session will soon go away. I will be praying for you and your struggle. Always know there is someone that cares and is thinking of you!!!!

Thank you SO much for all your lovely, kind, thoughtful and helpful suggestions xx

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my post as I lay awake struggling each night not knowing what to do with these thoughts and them eating away at me while I’m tossing and turning till the sun comes up.

Honestly I try and not come on here and talk or open up anymore, more so just to give encouragement and support to others as that in turn makes me feel good to be there and do good, if I can at all. It’s one thing I hope I can be good at.

I don’t allow myself to open up, cry or let myself be emotional anymore, I bury it, hide it, shut it down. As I don’t know that if I allow it to come back I’ll be strong enough to get through it again.

I’m unfortunately not able to go see anyone, nor exercise, go for walks etc. I’m stuck indoors 24/7 alone. I’m recovering (although not doing it well) from an operation, and will be for some time.

Nights are my worst. It’s so quite, dark, and nothing to distract me. And I just can’t seem to get ahold of all that goes on in my head and it just takes over, and won’t stop no matter what I do. It goes on night after night....

Sometimes it scares me :(

But I’ll be ok, I don’t have a choice. I just have to learn to live with this as I have everything else.

Hello,
I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles. Praying for you that recovering from operation will go well and things will be fine for you as well.

I hope you will feel comfortable sharing your feelings in the forum. You can also try to write down your feelings on the journal to express the emotions you are going through. It works for me every time I am going through something, I hope it will work for you too. Try also to listen to soothing music or worship songs to help you fall asleep. I hope you will get the help you need. Please stay strong, we are here for you. Please keep us posted.