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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
I'm an obsessive thinker - or obsessive ruminator. I can't stop myself from anticipating and thinking what will come of what's to come (surrounding a certain anxiety-ridden event). If someone says something to me at work that's slightly off tone -I take it as something that was meant to put me down and then I try and analize it and everything surrounding it which leads to all these angry thoughts and sleepless nights about NOTHING.
UGH I'm so sick of it - the only thing that stops it is an opiate - but I don't see my pdoc putting me back on opiate therapy anytime soon (I'm planning on asking tho).
Does this make any sense?
Jerry
Posted by Tom G on December 3, 2004, at 22:38:31
In reply to What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
Try Geodon or any antipschotic. It worked for me for those very things.
Posted by smokeymadison on December 4, 2004, at 2:34:36
In reply to Re: What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by Tom G on December 3, 2004, at 22:38:31
i agree with Tom G. Try either Geodon or Abilify, the newest and the antipsychotics with the least side effects out there right now.
i personally prefer Abilify. My pdoc says that it takes at least 10 mg to make much difference. i take 15 mg. i have pure obsessional OCD and this med really helps.
SSRIs also help, but not as much and the sexual side effects are always a negative. good luck!
ohh--either might make you tired or irritable at first, but the effects wear off after a couple of weeks.
SM
Posted by ed_uk on December 4, 2004, at 18:48:35
In reply to What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
Hi Jerry,
I just wondered whether you were sleeping any better at the moment.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by lynch03 on December 4, 2004, at 18:49:45
In reply to What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
> I'm an obsessive thinker - or obsessive ruminator. I can't stop myself from anticipating and thinking what will come of what's to come (surrounding a certain anxiety-ridden event). If someone says something to me at work that's slightly off tone -I take it as something that was meant to put me down and then I try and analize it and everything surrounding it which leads to all these angry thoughts and sleepless nights about NOTHING.
>
> UGH I'm so sick of it - the only thing that stops it is an opiate - but I don't see my pdoc putting me back on opiate therapy anytime soon (I'm planning on asking tho).
>
> Does this make any sense?
>
> Jerry
I knew someone who had the exact same problem as you..he finnaly tried Zoloft and he is much better now..
Posted by jerrympls on December 4, 2004, at 20:03:34
In reply to Re: What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by ed_uk on December 4, 2004, at 18:48:35
> Hi Jerry,
>
> I just wondered whether you were sleeping any better at the moment.
>
> Regards,
> Ed.
>
>Hi Ed
I'm sleeping somewhat better - I've been put back on Seroquel which helps me to sleep - but the hangover is horrible.
Posted by Shortelise on December 5, 2004, at 12:22:59
In reply to What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
The thought that got me onto the track where I have found myself able to get out of that was asking this question when stuff happens:
Is this about YOU or is this about ME?
What it means to me is, when someone speaks to me or treats me in a way that I find inappropriate, I ask myself that question. And very, very often I find that people don't really see me, they are so wrapped up in their own caca that they are just being themselves, with their own problems and their own lousy ways of dealing with people.
It in fact has nothing whatsoever to do with me.
I am sorry you are dealing with this ugliness. Therapy helped me a lot.
Hugs
ShortE
Posted by Lazarus on December 6, 2004, at 18:05:54
In reply to What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
I take Abilify for ruminating thoughts and it works well. I take 3.75 mg daily.
Lazarus
Posted by Joslynn on December 8, 2004, at 9:01:40
In reply to What works for ruminating thoughts?, posted by jerrympls on December 3, 2004, at 22:08:51
Jerry, yes that makes sense, I do that same thing at work sometimes, trying to interpret a certain comment or tone of voice. It doesn't keep me up nights, but I am on an SSRI & it does seem like I ruminate less than when I wasn't on it. I also obsess and ruminate about my personal life sometimes, should I date this guy, should I not, what did he mean when he said that, and so on.
What helps me is to say to myself "Let it go Joslynn." I have to say it out loud. I know this sounds simplistic. Or I stamp my foot on the floor or say stop or do the STOP sign imagery trick.
I am also Christian, so I also imagine physically giving the whole burden to Jesus as he is walking down the street and I say "here, take this, I can't carry it but you can." But I realize that would not work if you are of a different faith or atheist, but maybe you could imagine a different but similar image in your head. Something where you are physically putting the burden in someone else's hands.
I hope this doesn't sound trite, but it helps me.
Another trick is to use that rumination energy on something that is healthy to ruminate about: a creative endeavor, a difficult book, etc. Or do something physical, a chore or some sort of task that uses your hands. Once when I was obsessing about something, I really felt some relief when I sorted out all my hair accessories. Now of course you can't do that because you are a guy (not that there's anything wrong with a guy having hair accessories, if that's your thing, rock on, but you know what I mean).
Ruminating is an ongoing challenge for me too. I just think too much. This can be a gift and a curse.
Posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 22:01:11
In reply to Re: What works for ruminating thoughts? » jerrympls, posted by Joslynn on December 8, 2004, at 9:01:40
> Jerry, yes that makes sense, I do that same thing at work sometimes, trying to interpret a certain comment or tone of voice. It doesn't keep me up nights, but I am on an SSRI & it does seem like I ruminate less than when I wasn't on it. I also obsess and ruminate about my personal life sometimes, should I date this guy, should I not, what did he mean when he said that, and so on.
>
> What helps me is to say to myself "Let it go Joslynn." I have to say it out loud. I know this sounds simplistic. Or I stamp my foot on the floor or say stop or do the STOP sign imagery trick.
>
> I am also Christian, so I also imagine physically giving the whole burden to Jesus as he is walking down the street and I say "here, take this, I can't carry it but you can." But I realize that would not work if you are of a different faith or atheist, but maybe you could imagine a different but similar image in your head. Something where you are physically putting the burden in someone else's hands.
>
> I hope this doesn't sound trite, but it helps me.
>
> Another trick is to use that rumination energy on something that is healthy to ruminate about: a creative endeavor, a difficult book, etc. Or do something physical, a chore or some sort of task that uses your hands. Once when I was obsessing about something, I really felt some relief when I sorted out all my hair accessories. Now of course you can't do that because you are a guy (not that there's anything wrong with a guy having hair accessories, if that's your thing, rock on, but you know what I mean).
>
> Ruminating is an ongoing challenge for me too. I just think too much. This can be a gift and a curse.
>
>Thanks for your post - nice to know others think the same way - ya know? My doc has suggested going back on an SSRI but they can be so emotionally dulling for me. We'll see. I might go back to a tricyclic.
Thanks again
Jerry
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