How do you deal with intrusive bad memories/thoughts?

[VigilanteWithViolin]

I hate that unpleasant memories or obsessive thoughts constantly enter my head. I can't do anything right, I can't even relax and daydream, and that's one of the few things that saves me.
Because I involuntarily start remembering something unpleasant or scenarios appear in my head that never happened and for which there is no reason, I start thinking about bad things and get even more upset. Every time I try to take my mind off the shitty thoughts, it's like there are twice as many of them...
Today I was at the store with my mom because she had a huge list for the festive table and I was completely out of reality, hanging in place because I was filled with bad memories and thoughts. It's like I'm numb and there's nothing but traumatic things and I can't get out of this cocoon.
I'm so tired...
if anyone has a way to deal with this, I'll be glad to read about it.

 

[yowai]

I just distract myself with scrolling social media or playing mobile games, they suck me in and I can forget what I was thinking about, maybe not the healthiest coping mechanism but it works for me. Especially those games that require thinking about strategy and every step

 

[H.O.Xan]

I like deep posts like these. Some ways to deal with this r:

1. Acceptance of these thoughts existing, letting them pass by w/out paying direct attention to those. Like watching traffic pass by.

2. A distraction like mentioned above me.

3. Focus on ur senses all 5 at once. This will force u to b more present in the moment.

If anyone else can add, feel free to do so

 

[VigilanteWithViolin]

I just distract myself with scrolling social media or playing mobile games, they suck me in and I can forget what I was thinking about, maybe not the healthiest coping mechanism but it works for me. Especially those games that require thinking about strategy and every step

when I played a mobile game for a few months, it really helped, so it's probably a good way. although it's hard for me to find something I like, I have to try anyway. thank you for reminding me about mobile games!

Some ways to deal with this

Thank you!

 

[yowai]

when I played a mobile game for a few months, it really helped, so it's probably a good way. although it's hard for me to find something I like, I have to try anyway. thank you for reminding me about mobile games!

Thank you!

Personally polytopia has saved me from so many breakdowns lol, check it out if you haven't played it yet

 

[We’reJustStrangers]

Skyrim
Weed
Praying
Music
Sleeping

 

[ForgottenAgain]

I have the same issue, flashbacks of bad memories, catastrophizing in my mind... What I started doing and has been working for me was: when the bad thought appears, I immediately do something else to distract myself (can be as simple as counting stones in the pavement), then click the clicker and reward myself with a treat.
It's dog training but instead of applying it to a dog, I apply it to myself. I have done it quite a few times so now sometimes I don't even need the treat, once I do the "good behaviour" and I hear the click, I feel a tiny drop of contentment, like I did something good. I've started having less flashbacks since starting this, will see how long it lasts.

 

[EternalLight]

Every single day of my life, I have images and scenes endlessly playing over and over again in my mind. Even when I sleep, my subconscious blends traumatic memories with grotesque abstract scenarios. I just try to occupy myself as much as possible, with things like music, reading, and little creative efforts. I also have a job, so that helps. Of course, none of these things ever help to assimilate my shadow or shed my body thetans or anything, but that's a whole other kettle of fish. I hope you can find some peace in your life from these thoughts.

 

[VigilanteWithViolin]

Every single day of my life, I have images and scenes endlessly playing over and over again in my mind. Even when I sleep, my subconscious blends traumatic memories with grotesque abstract scenarios. I just try to occupy myself as much as possible, with things like music, reading, and little creative efforts. I also have a job, so that helps. Of course, none of these things ever help to assimilate my shadow or shed my body thetans or anything, but that's a whole other kettle of fish. I hope you can find some peace in your life from these thoughts.

Thanks for the support! I'm also trying to get distracted by creativity and music, even though it's difficult...

 

[Lookingtoflyfree]

I've tried all the meditating and grounding techniques and honestly just think doing a bunch of drugs to burn out my brain is the only way.

I am tired of nightmares, intrusive thoughts, feeling a war in my brain.

 

[VigilanteWithViolin]

I've tried all the meditating and grounding techniques and honestly just think doing a bunch of drugs to burn out my brain is the only way.

I am tired of nightmares, intrusive thoughts, feeling a war in my brain.

I understand... I'm starting to feel like only strong medications or drugs can drown out this shit, too.

 

[pulse1]

Petting my cat gives me immediate (but very short-lived) relief. This plan does fall through if she's not in the mood to be petted or if you don't have a pet in your vicinity though.

When it happens at night, I know that simply getting up from bed and drinking an ice cold cup of water could help a bit, but I feel stuck in the sheets. Even though intrusive thoughts feel extremely terrible for me and I feel like I'm being tortured, I feel unable to even try to do anything to stop it at those moments. It then turns into hours of laying still in bed or starting at a wall going through worse and worse vortexes of thoughts. I wish I could have a solution but I don't.. I just know that (for me at least), meditating makes the thoughts even worse because they become all I can think about, so you're not alone if meditating or grounding techniques seem pointless.