hello out there. When I used to get these kinds of thoughts they were always about dying or being locked away. I have a seven and a six year old- so it seemed completely rational to be afraid of these things. I do agree with chimpmaster and the process written. I would repeatedly force myself to disbelieve these thoughts and the only way out is to think your way out. I would force myself - actually my brain to become very busy. I found it useless to just simply try to stop the thoughts so instead i replaced them with somehting else (like written about repeating a mantra.) I would do anything that challenged my brain- word scramblers at a game site called pogo, or i'd sit and do tough math questions, or repeat nursery rhymes- i know it sounds too easy- but like all good things in life, it is tough work. I would give my brain something else to think about. I accepted that although the thoughts were irrational my fear of them wasn't. It was real fear to think I wouldn't see my kids again. So instead of letting these thoughts take over I overpowered them with something else. Anything that makes you think (math, spelling words backwards, memory recall) will stop you from fearing because your're too busy thinking. I suffered from panic attacks every day and this is the only method that I ever found that has worked. Let me know if it helps you.

Chipmaster & Leela, Thanks a lot guys! Its very reassuring to hear that I'm not alone with the thoughts I get sometimes. The ongoing obsessive thoughts have actually subsided. I still get massive panic attacks though. Don’t know how that started but they come out of the blue at least 5 times a week. I went to see a psychiatrist for the first time on Friday. She prescribed me Lexapro. Is anyone on this? I use to take Paxil about a year ago which truly helped me. I swear by that pill but I was not crazy about the side effects so I stopped it. Now I figure I should try something new. If this doesn’t help at least I know I have the paxil to fall back on and I will deal with the side effects. I also have an appointment to see a therapist. I’ve never been! The psychiatrist really just gives the meds, she really doesn’t go into anything so thats why i need a counslor as well. I Did the medication thing but I don’t think im gonna get anywhere unless I really talk to someone and get to the root of this. Should have done this 2 years ago. Better late then never. Anyway, thanks again for your help...I appreciate it.

Wow, chipmaster, I wish you were around 3 years ago when I needed help...seems like no one could have helped me, not even my counsellor. I read books on OCD and that kind of helped me understand...I found that cognitive therapy helped the most though.

Nicole, I speculate that your "crazy thoughts" are actually a normal part of an anxiety disorder. Panic disorder typically stems from a fear of a catastrophic event, and it can change over time. Panic disorder becomes a fear of the internal sensations that our body experiences when we feel anxious. You need to rationalise to yourself why you think you are going to die? The four steps are: 1) Identify the thought that is bothering you (eg Im going to die, what if I die). 2) Identify possible causes - which symptoms if any are making you feel this way? Is it just an irrational thought? 3) Consider and analyse the evidence. Am I feeling this way for a specific reason? 4) Select and use a coping strategy. In your case the coping strategy might be a mantra - a strong, repeated statement to reassure yourself that everything is ok. No, Im not going to die. There is nothing physically wrong with me. As long as I breathe slowly and lightly, relax myself etc I will be fine. Try this out. I also experience obsessional thoughts. These can be intrusive thoughts about something you fear, hate or are disgusted by, that you then obsess over as you despise or are afraid of the thought so much. Its very important with these thoughts to take 1 of two actions. 1) Rationalise and reassure yourself that this is just an intrusive thought - a malfunction of the brain. Nothing to worry about. Then procede to reassure yourself that you are not dying and are calm. Over time this will train your mind to disregard the thought, or at least be less afraid of it. 2) Thought stopping. Distract yourself with other thoughts. This works like a charm once you get the hang of it. You are competing with 2 things here, firstly the thought itself, but more importantly, the anxiety the thought creates for you. If you stop thinking about it, the anxiety subsides. You can also train yourself to automatically disregard and distract yourself from intrusive thoughts. We cant prevent intrusive thoughts. We can prevent them from upsetting us. Remember that letting them take over can lead to a lot of anxiety. In some people, this is how OCD develops. Id recommend you try this sort of approach. If

HI Nicole. A couple years ago I went through a bad breakup and found myself having crazy thoughts as well. About EVERYTHING, including death. At the time I thoought there was something seriously wrong with me & I also thought i was the only one going through it. It was a relief to read your post, you sound just like me, lol. I still have strange thoughts sometimes that I wish were not there, and the only advice I can give you is this: Practice "stopping" exercises. Whenever a thought enters your head & you don't want it there, just scream (in your head) at it to "STOP". After a few times, it actually works. And just remember, just because you have a thought, doesn't make it real. Hope this helps a little. Take Care, Leela

Hey Nicole, I too have been having trouble sleeping lately. I just recently increased my Zoloft dosage to 100mg and since then I have a terrible time sleeping. I toss and turn and then I wake up in the middle of the night and my thoughts start racing. It's like I cant keep focused on one thought, they just all jumble together and then I'm certain that I am going crazy. I'm hoping this is just a side effect of the med increase. What med are you currently taking? I know its frustrating, if I dont sleep well then the next day my anxiety seems to be worse and thw whole vicious cycle begins. I hope you find relief soon, me too, I could definitely use a good nights sleep.

Hi Everyone. I have a severe panic disorder for the past 2 years but lately it has been so much more then that. I can usually sleep fine at night but for the past few days I have been having crazy thoughts. The thoughts have taken over me and I am up all night. Thoughts of death. I am soooo afraid of what’s gonna happen when I die all of a sudden. Its gotten so bad. My mind races all night and I almost feel that I might get to a point where I will have to be hospitalized for going insane. Don’t know what triggered this but its here and very scary. It’s so overwhelming. I am a big believer in God but now I question it. I’m so afraid of the unknown and don’t know what to do. I have an appointment to speak to a counselor soon but in the interim, does anyone have this problem or have any advice to give me?????