i think intrusive thoughts are pretty common, and pretty awful.

best to bring it up w/ your psychiatrist. the new meds might need a good tweak.

It does suck. I've been there. I learned to replace those thoughts with
others, though it's really hard to do, it takes a lot of practice.

I consider those racing thoughts and unable to concentrate. Meds really help that. When I do get it, if I can redirect my thoughts to an activity that will take more thought sometimes that works, even journaling those feelings.

Been there and its not pleasant! Big Hugs to you!

I agree that a lot of us have intrusive thoughts at times... they aren't pleasant...
Big hug for ya...x

I have always dealt with this - it sucks! (((BIG HUG)))

But their are tools, coping skills - Heretic said it well - you have to learn to replace them... I've learned, the brain always needs a thought in front, so telling bad thoughts to go away, or even the best meds - doesn't really work...

When I'm not a mess - I make a list of quotes, slogans, mantra's - things that soothe me, help me breathe, gratitude list, etc... so when my brain is flooded with intrusive thoughts, I already have a list of things to TRY and ease the chaos and horrible things, coming from my dark, sick brain......

A simple game I play when a mess - is the Gratitude ABC's... white knuckled, stomach hurting - I try and thing of good things, things I'm grateful for - for each letter. (I have to change them up, lol the "things" it's not a good coping skill if I don't think hard - to replace the bad shit : )

Example - today, in a crappy, painful place - to TRY and tweak or stop my intrusive thoughts I go with

Alanon (12 step stuff, especially slogans - really changed my life, the same tools for acceptance and change, help my Bipolar.

B - I can't think of anything! LOL so this is how it works, how can I want to die or kill, if I'm thinking about "B" : ) mmmmm, nothing popping up.....

C - easy, my Car - back to B...... OMG! I got one....

A- Alanon
B- my BED lol
C - my Car
D- DS

I don't stand a chance without meds to help stop my flooding brain, but if my life and thoughts suck before pills, well even if the pills were great, my life can still suck LOL

Working on coping skills - trying to change actions and thoughts, has done wonders for me, and my quality of life....

You are not alone - Mojo said it best " i think intrusive thoughts are pretty common, and pretty awful."

Glad you're here, letting me see and share - how far I've come, because today sucks and I wouldn't have seen This - if I didn't share it, hence support groups, again for me - rock!

Actually I have been able to think "NOT GOING THERE!!!!" and wishing it all into the cornfield when I start to have persistent negative thoughts. If something is going to upset me by thinking about it, it gets sent away... Maybe I'm just good at denial.

I have to say thank you all sooo much for your comments. Its really helped my mood for the day! I've only been on this support group for a week and everyone that I have encountered so far has been very uplifting and supportive. I have to say I was a little skeptical of joining this at first because Ive seen so many of these online sites where so many people just bash each other, but this is the opposite so far. It's very reassuring to know that these thoughts are common thoughts. Ive always worried I was just a bad or evil/ ungrateful person since I had these thoughts about people I love and care about and have no reason to have them! THank you for your comment Ginawonders!! It reminded me of the gratitude lists I used to make for a recovery group I was part of. Im always trying to be proactive in my recovery so that I don't relapse, and its always very helpful for me to remember that I'm not the only person in the world with problems but that some people have it so much worse, and it's so refreshing to be part of a community where people take time out of their own lives with their own problems to offer help to complete strangers. :) THANKS EVERYONE HAPPY HALLOWEEN