[maria]

Can anyone explain why these thoughts about aging, dying, death etc. keep constantly running in my mind? Is there a way to control them? It?s so depressing to hear or see something involving the end of existence and there seems to be not much else in the news these days. How am I ever going to deal with the inevitable? I can?t forget I?m doomed to death since I never feel alive?these thoughts are with me no matter what I do, saying ?oh there?s no point in that, soon it will be forgotten?. Will these thoughts disappear with dp? I'd imagine if a healthy person is haunted by morbid thoughts and has for example a near death experience, the thoughts might start to seem what they are, pointless. That movie title ?Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind? sounds so appealing?thanks for any advice.

 

[Guest]

I'm so glad it's not just me that has this - but I would't wish it on anyone.

For me, I just keep thinking of seeing old relatvies etc and the feeling I used to get when I was round their houses when I was younger. A horrible feeling.

 

[Martinelv]

Maria, a 'classic' symptom of Anxiety, Depression, DR/DP or in fact any neurotic condition is - Obsessive Rumination, which is what you are going through. I had it, almost every on this board has had it at one time or another and it's natural that the content of your obsessive thoughts are to do with the, let's say, more fundamental questions about life. That's the bitch with DR/DP, it forces you into deep introspection, contemplation, which at the time of suffering is the last thing you need.

From my own experience, the obsessions do fade as the DR/DP does. I know it sounds obvious, but there is really no point continuing with the furious obsessing..none at all. There are no answers (most would believe) to the questions that you are asking, and besides, in my opinion it's not the nature of the obsessions that is the problem, it is the fact that you are obsessing in the first place - which is a symptom of your illness. You must recognise it as such. It is nothing more, nothing less. Remember that, it's very important. And in which case, try and treat it as such...I know it's hard, but try not to indulge it, because all you are doing is feeding the obsession. If you really want to contemplate these kinds of questions, then leave them to one side until you get better.

I'm know it's fiendishly difficult, but you must try.

 

[Guest]

I think everyone thinks about philosophical/existentialist/religious thoughts, we dpers/ocders, however obsess on these questions because we're constantly ruminating about ourselves, our condition and this life which we sometimes feel so strange.
Those are questions without a definitive answer, try to concentrate on something else until you feel strong enough to think these thoughts without becoming obsessed by them. Hope I've helped a little!
Ciao!

Tau

 

[maria]

thank you for replies! It's good to see it in black and white, I've reminded myself of your words and it feels more real when I treat these thoughts (which nowadays concern the unanswerable questions of life but yeah, there's always been something to obsess about, only the subject has changed.) as a symptom instead of something to indulge myself in.
I too keep remembering how everything used to feel and compare it to today, fortunately I've always felt pretty bad so I don't miss the good old days...