My insanity is leaking

I've had this problem for as long as I can remember, something like mental Tourette's, but I was able to keep it inside my mind although sometimes it would cause outward reactions like flinching, crying, grasping at affected body parts. I would try my hardest to hide this though, because I was afraid people would think I was insane. When I was a kid I was worried I would grow up to be full on insane, like institutionalized, if it worsened..
So far I don't actually feel insane because I've learned to cope with the thoughts. They aren't really my own thoughts, but they aren't hallucinations either. But they are starting to escape from my mind in sharp whispers of things like "Shutup, I hate you, kill yourself" etc. while I am at work and I'm afraid people will hear. as I said they aren't really my own thoughts, but I am saying them, I have no control over them. I've found it is classified as a form of OCD where the compulsions are verbal/mental, but it seems like there aren't that many people with this problem.
I'm on a medication for another problem but its meant to help this as well- I was titrating off it when I noticed this, so I will probably have to tell my doctor but I am so embarrassed by it.. So far though he doesn't ask much questions, simply accepts my explanation of "OCD thoughts" but is this really normal for it or something else?

Voting Results
28% Normal
Based on 29 votes (8 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • thr

    Unwanted intrusive thoughts that have a character and persistence of occurrence that make them a real problem, are normal enough for there to have been written books on how to deal with them. It is also normal enough to be referred to as purely obsessional OCD (or POCD).

    I have, myself, had a big problems with unwanted thoughts.

    I am a bit surprised by the nature of your unwanted thoughts, though, if I have understood things correctly, i.e., that your intrusive thoughts are, e.g., "shut up, I hate you".

    In the context of intrusive thoughts, the typical topics described are sexual, religious, and violent, and the transgressing nature of the thoughts are a big part of what fuels them and what makes them distressing.

    It is good that you do not see them as your own thoughts, and ignoring them without becoming anxious about it, is a good idea.

    While medication may work for you, there are also other ways of trying to lessen/fix OCD problems. E.g., there is cognitive behavioural therapy, which I don't that much about.

    Changes in lifestyle, such as changing your way of eating by eliminating certain foods, can, I believe, have an impact mentally, as well as physically.

    I suspect that the lessening of my OCD problems also has to do with having mercury fillings from my teeth removed a year ago.
    Note, however, that I am just saying that it might have helped me. It has not been a controlled experiment, and I don't know if it will have any impact on others. It can be expensive to get done, so I'm just mentioning it, not saying it will help.

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    • Oh, those are not my intrusive thoughts per se, they are the ones that try to drown out the OCD thoughts, so they are just as prevalent/compulsive.. It really confuses me too.. And I don't have any fillings but that's interesting. I've also tried to change my diet and I think it helped a lot with my depression and anxiety, but the thoughts remain somehow.. Anyway, thank you for the response. I might try therapy as well, I just don't know what I'd tell them.

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  • Beanman

    Medicines are tools.

    (Sometimes tools of the pharmaceutical corporations to make obscene profits)

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  • NotTheSun

    These types of situations are sticky, because a simple anxiety issue, or neurological disorder, can be exasperated with medication.

    I've had to control panic attacks, once in my life, and didn't realize, for quite some time, that my medication was the root cause of problems. Some meds will definitely help, but not all meds react the same way, with everyone. I developed effects that really interrupted my speech (I found I was zoning out too much) and caused me to feel absent, in daily routine. Even going through severe mental stress, I had to taper off.

    With others, it can actually exasperate your hallucinations and even cause them. If you have OCD, or thought that consume you, it can really impede the progress in overcoming compulsions.
    My nephew had severe tourettes, with medicine in the mix, it only became worse. Once he got off all meds and started healthy living, working out and dieting, he was able to live, much happier and he fully recovered from his problems. He got into a field of work that made him happy and began a life, he didn't think was possible. Ironically, coincides with him tapering off meds entirely. He was reaching a point of obsession with his thoughts (and they were dark) he tried suicide, he believed he could hurt himself or someone else, due to his aggressive thoughts. I was happy to see him overcome his demons.

    Sometimes it takes a new outlook, routine and healthy living. Meds help some, or a lot, I know, but in a lot of cases, with intense medicine regimen, I've seen only hardships.

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    • The thing is though, I started on a 40mg dose and did not notice the thoughts as much. I've been weaning off it and recently went down to 20, which is when I noticed the thoughts began "leaking".

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      • NotTheSun

        So the meds are helping you? Is it a matter of wanting to taper off, or lessen the issues without medication?

        If they are helping, it would be wise to stay on them, until you're stable enough to taper down.

        My nephew had the worst obsessive compulsive behavior and I was shocked to see him overcome it. After losing weight and becoming healthier, he did find a great girlfriend, which he attests is the main reason life became easier for him, as she is his perfect fit and helped him get passed old habits/intrusive thoughts and severe OCD; The distraction of a good relationship, someone to talk to and put healthy energy into, outside of work.

        Being off the meds happened after all of the healthy changes, sometimes being in the right place in your life is the best timing to stop, but only if you are certain you can cope and live without them.

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