Thinking

[Heretic_Cata]

This is going to be one of the strangest threads i'll ever start.
I hope it won't get closed because it's a broad "topic" ... bear with me a bit and i'll explain my reasons.

So here's the deal, i currently griped by paranoia (sorta) about my physical & mental health. The reasons for this are clear - a mild case of asthma, that is indirectly(long term effect) reducing (a bit) the normal amount of oxigen going to the brain. And this causes some minor headackes, dizzines, some shivers and muscle twitching. (which are only annoying and bearly noticeable)
Although i KNOW THIS is true, every time one of those things happen i CAN'T NOT THINK of other terrible causes for the above symptomes.

So i keep trying to change my ways of thinking, i try to keep the paranoia at bay. It seems to be working sorta ... i have been having some problems with this at some points:


Let's say you have no problems at all, and nothing much to do ... so you are just sitting around. My question to you is: What the hell are you thinking off in those moments?

Every time i get to one of those moments i get back to those "what if the actual reson for those symptoms is: ..." questions again.
I hate it when this happens ... a few days ago i was with some friends around the city for about 7 hours (beach, univ, city, stuff) and i didn't even notice those symptoms, even though i am sure i did have some them, they didn't bother me at all, no paranoia, no annoying "what if" questions.
And btw, I am a very negativist person that sees the bad side of things always. So don't say "think happy thoughts" kuz it doesn't work on me. Be more specific please.



P.S. Spam will not be tolerated (i'll report you), so i don't want to hear the fact that Perfection is thinking how perfect he is in those moments.
(it's just a random example )

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Usually, in those moments when my mind is not occupied by the task at hand (and to a lesser degree, when it is; I have ADD) I am daydreaming. I am basically writing stories in my head. Right now my main focus is a science-fiction story that I one day hope to write.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

I'm usually thinking about how perfect Perfection is

Right, let's see if I can answer this properly: When I have no real problems, my thoughts shift from anything to anything, and I mean anything. Though normally I'm thinking about whatever new project I am doing - be it current or upcoming - about whatever games I am playing at the moment, sometimes I just slip into random story mode and go into weird flights of fancy. As I say, there's nothing specific I ever think about.

Ah: As Eran put it wonderfully: I'm writing stories in my head.

When I am feeling low or worried or depressed, then I find it more difficult to 'think' randomly. I have to force myself to concentrate on something and hope it returns to normal.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

And btw, I am a very negativist person that sees the bad side of things always. So don't say "think happy thoughts" kuz it doesn't work on me.

Ok, no happy thoughts. How about this then:

"So what if the causes of it are something terrible and serious? Whats the worse that could happen to me? Dying? Who cares? Either I'll live, or I wont, and sitting here having a panic attack is a waste of time no matter what."

 

[Masquerouge]

Usually, in those moments when my mind is not occupied by the task at hand (and to a lesser degree, when it is; I have ADD) I am daydreaming. I am basically writing stories in my head. Right now my main focus is a science-fiction story that I one day hope to write.

Wow. Me too.

Other than that I will often relive memories of my past.

 

[IglooDame]

Ummm... Civ, plotting out my next turn against the evil AI...

 

[Sidhe]

I have had asthma and it does make you feel a little odd mentally, for example if you take too much medication you get Euphoric, if you don't take it or it doesn't work you get very stressed and find it hard to remain rational, it can be quite intense but I wouldn't go so far as to say I felt paranoid, very anxious definitely, although everyone is different, this doesn't sound distinctly like asthma to me, but I'm no expert, my asthma is never so bad that I need hospitilisation or steroid injections or any heavy medication so I'm not sure. It could just be a side effect of the asthma, but if you start noticing any symptoms of depression, disinterest in socialising, lethargy, anxiety and so on think about seeing a Dr, best to nip that stuff in the bud before you start becoming completely withdrawn. As I say though proabably just the asthma.

EDIT: If you are a very negative person counselling could help to make you more positive about yourself, hell a rant about your problems to a friend is not always as effective as ranting at a completely impartial stranger, who you can ironically sometimes open up more too.

 

[Truronian]

To be honest, I can't remember what I'm thinking about in the gaps. Generally when I've got nothing on my I tend to express it externally, eg talking/singing to self, playing with an umbrella, insulting the cat etc. To be honest, if you think you have mental health problems, you probably don't .

If you wanna have something to think about, try taking up a hobby. I've spent most of my downtime this summer getting back to grips with chess, which has done wonders to stave of boredom. Just, what ever you do, avoid Su-do-ku!

 

[Heretic_Cata]

@Eran: that is a very good idea, i was thinking of writing a story myself ... but you know, the start is always the hardest.
And i am probably not very good at writing anything except stuff about madmen and psychotic delusions. But i'll think of other more positive (or at least neutral ) stuff to write.
Checked - i'll try this.

@Kan':

When I am feeling low or worried or depressed, then I find it more difficult to 'think' randomly. I have to force myself to concentrate on something and hope it returns to normal.

Every time i let my mind loose to "shift from anything to anything" it goes to that endless paranoia again. I am not depressed now, i am just feeling low (as usual) about these neverending medical problems; i only want to be ... no ... i only want to FEEL healthy. As i know that there is no person on earth 100% healthy. Why is it so easy for some people ? There are so many people that are in a much worse condition that mine and they are happy. Why is it so hard for me to be like that ?

@Bozo: well i didn't say i didn't want happy thoughts, i meant if someone says "think of happy thought" they should be more specific.
And about what you said: tried that a while ago, it's not working.

@Masquerouge: happy memories of my past.
- Check - i'll do that.

@IglooDude: i can no longer immerse myself to a game universe to such an extent as i did when i was younger.

@Truronian:

To be honest, I can't remember what I'm thinking about in the gaps. Generally when I've got nothing on my I tend to express it externally, eg talking/singing to self, playing with an umbrella, insulting the cat etc.

That won't be enough to cover my negative thoughts though.

To be honest, if you think you have mental health problems, you probably don't .

I probably don't ... but that doesn't give me rest.

If you wanna have something to think about, try taking up a hobby. I've spent most of my downtime this summer getting back to grips with chess, which has done wonders to stave of boredom. Just, what ever you do, avoid Su-do-ku!

Well, i do read usually. But there are times when i'm really to tired to read anything. (but not tired for tormenting thoughts)

I have had asthma and it does make you feel a little odd mentally, for example if you take too much medication you get Euphoric, if you don't take it or it doesn't work you get very stressed and find it hard to remain rational, it can be quite intense but I wouldn't go so far as to say I felt paranoid, very anxious definitely, although everyone is different, this doesn't sound distinctly like asthma to me, but I'm no expert, my asthma is never so bad that I need hospitilisation or steroid injections or any heavy medication so I'm not sure.

I didn't get any "good" stuff as medication. I mean even when i use the inhaler they gave me, i don't feel anything. (it even says so on the box) So i don't even get that nice feeling when using it.

It could just be a side effect of the asthma, but if you start noticing any symptoms of depression, disinterest in socialising, lethargy, anxiety...

That's mostly how i've felt the past 6-7 years, excluding last year or 2 ... that was a shining but brief moment of inner peace.

... and so on think about seeing a Dr, best to nip that stuff in the bud before you start becoming completely withdrawn.

"I'm afraid i can't do that Dave"
Seriously, i would love to, but i currently can't for several reasons.

If you are a very negative person counselling could help to make you more positive about yourself, hell a rant about your problems to a friend is not always as effective as ranting at a completely impartial stranger, who you can ironically sometimes open up more too.

Heh, i did rant about it (tho not exactly about this) to a friend here at the forum.
It did have a preety good effect ... sorta like this thread has.

Thank you for the answers so far.
P.S. And thank you for not spamming.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

@Kan':
Every time i let my mind loose to "shift from anything to anything" it goes to that endless paranoia again. I am not depressed now, i am just feeling low (as usual) about these neverending medical problems; i only want to be ... no ... i only want to FEEL healthy. As i know that there is no person on earth 100% healthy. Why is it so easy for some people ? There are so many people that are in a much worse condition that mine and they are happy. Why is it so hard for me to be like that ?

If you think you might be feeling depressed, then there's no harm in seeing a doctor to try and alleviate your worries. I've been there, discovered I do actually suffer from depression (and I can sympathise with your paranoia and worry) and now feel a lot better.

Yes there are people who are worse off than you, but what's important right now is that you are feeling lowly. Finding ways to help yourself is a good start.

And if you're thinking of writing a story, go for it. I'm terrible at starting things as well, but when you get into it it's quite a thrill

 

[Paradigne]

Try meditation. You can actually learn to shut your brain down and think of nothing.

I know, I know, that comes naturally to a LOT of people...

 

[Heretic_Cata]

If you think you might be feeling depressed, then there's no harm in seeing a doctor to try and alleviate your worries. I've been there, discovered I do actually suffer from depression (and I can sympathise with your paranoia and worry) and now feel a lot better.

Well, like i said, i can't exactly do that, though i want to. I don't have the money right now and ... there are other things in the way.

Yes there are people who are worse off than you, but what's important right now is that you are feeling lowly. Finding ways to help yourself is a good start.

And if you're thinking of writing a story, go for it. I'm terrible at starting things as well, but when you get into it it's quite a thrill

I trully wish to start but i don't have any good ideas.

Well, i do have one big idea, but it is now so complex because it started about 10 (no idea???) years ago. When childern my age were idolising Britney Spears and Van Damme, i just couldn't find that person to look up to, to idolise. So i created my own idol which is the mirror image of how i would want to be. He has the same disturbing things about himself that i have, the only difference is he has control.

(btw, nowadays i do idolise some other people too, but none from "today")

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

@Heretic - It's a start. Sometimes I just start scibbling things down and see where it takes me. In fact, I never actually know how any of my stories are going to end. And if you feel it is working, that's good, and if you feel it isn't, well at the very least it's practice and you can refine it.

 

[Kyriakos]

What you are describing is known as 'hypohondria'. Hypohondria is the state where a person is of the view that he is suffering probably from a serious illness, when in reality he is just under a lot of stress.

You cannot really say that there is any way of thinking, or any particular thought, which is 'normal'. Being focused on thoughts which make you happy/are interesting to you, is the ultimate goal i think, but at the same time it is very usefull to try to examine the origin of the less positive thoughts.

Why not write a long essay about how you view your relations with other people, including your parents?

 

[King Flevance]

Having a creative hobby is a help such as writing. I would write about even paranoia if it keeps you too busy to be so yourself. I tend to think about stories myself sometimes.

Others:
- How I am doing in my life based on virtues. (I am religious though and try to regularly evaluate my actions.)
-This probably ties in with sometimes viewing nature and mankinds role and thinking about how the two work opposing one another and with one another.
- I imagine what I would do if faced with delimmas. This one does not happen often. Only when a delimma makes itself known to me that I had never considered before.
- Evaluate relationships I have with people I know. I try to see where the relationship is going or what is a problem there if any. Sometimes this will lead to old memories I had forgotten about that seem "happy thoughts" I try to see where I could improve or prioritize that relationship. BTW relationship here means friends, relatives, and the like.

 

[Urederra]

Is it hypochondria?

You are the greek guy, though.

 

[Sidhe]

Try meditation. You can actually learn to shut your brain down and think of nothing.

I know, I know, that comes naturally to a LOT of people...

This is a fine idea, although when your stressed or depressed it's very hard to meditate, I know I've tried and failed many times. You'll be amazed though at how relaxed it makes you feel, once you've lost all the stress from your body, you really do start thinking more rationally. It's not that hard to learn either and there are plenty of books about it.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

In those sort of moments, for some reason I start playing out potential scnenarios for some random thing that might happen to me. I literally have the whole conversation right there, its kind of funny, because sometimes I start to say what I'm "saying" in the conversation( it's usually and argument), and if someone else is in the room the might hear me and turn around with "what the hell did you say?"

Does anyone else do that, or am I just odd. Well I know I'm odd, but...

 

[King Flevance]

lol, you are not alone cheezy.

I usually have this happen when:

- I imagine what I would do if faced with delimmas. This one does not happen often. Only when a delimma makes itself known to me that I had never considered before.

I usually catch myself right before I actually say it or a couple words in. Then I make myself either calm down or think of something else.

 

[Sidhe]

In those sort of moments, for some reason I start playing out potential scnenarios for some random thing that might happen to me. I literally have the whole conversation right there, its kind of funny, because sometimes I start to say what I'm "saying" in the conversation( it's usually and argument), and if someone else is in the room the might hear me and turn around with "what the hell did you say?"

Does anyone else do that, or am I just odd. Well I know I'm odd, but...

No I do that too, when you start thinking deeply enough about situations, sometimes your thoughts overspill your thinking and you start seemingly talking to no one or yourself.

Over thinking situations isn't a good idea though, and it seldom meets up with the reality of a situation, in fact never in my experience, best to just go in cold and wing it, if you start thinking negatively you'll probably never discuss anything anyway, even with people you know well. People are extremely unpredictable, generally they surprise you, mostly in a good way.