Lots of scary intrusive thoughts today😫

Keep in mind that like everything, they subside over time. All these things seem to follow that pattern of increasing for a bit for whatever reason, but the thoughts and anxiety do come down. Keep trying to rest as you can, and although some foods might be difficult, be sure to keep yourself fed with the foods you're ok with. Hunger and lack of sleep are stressors that can exacerbate these feelings. You're doing good. About 4 weeks ago I had a spiral like this and it felt like a skid for a few days. At about the fourth or fifth day I noticed the backslide was slowing down and I started to feel like things were getting more grounded. After that I just kept taking things one step at a time and start working back towards where I was. I know it's stressful, but you're doing good. It's good your using this message board, because it helps. During my skid, I was in your shoes and posting about the challenges that were testing me, and someone else was responding with their experiences. Anyway, you're doing the right things and it will get better. Keep up the selfcare. Also, I almost missed responding to the part about how to respond to intrusive thoughts. So that's the thing, you work to not respond. You don't block them out. You don't do much but let them be there while you do your own thing. There is a meditation series in the calm app that I've listened to and it talks about just that. The voice leading the sessions Jeff Warren says in a few of the recordings that you just let these thoughts be there. He says treat it like their house guests, or guests at a party. You acknowledge their presence, but you move on to the things you value. I know it might be hard to 'let the thought be there' when you're already feeling the stress of having them there, but the let them be there idea might be more useful in the days ahead as you start to feel things steady a bit. Tell yourself you're doing great and know that you're just riding out the storm. You got this Salem!

Is it the thoughts or is it the feelings that come with the thoughts? I notice the same thoughts don’t bother me when I am in a different mood. I notice my mood seems to make things feel off. So I stop paying attention to my thoughts. And what they contain. I focus on - wow, I feel shitty. I can feel extreme disgust, anger, sadness, frustration, whatever. But it passes. Always does. Forget the thoughts. Let the emotion be there. And the thoughts. Focus away from the experience and teach your body that those emotions and thoughts don’t pertain to this situation. It will learn. And welcome - I see you’re new.