Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
LotusgirlSenior Contributor
🙂
Im having a bad day. I know that they say "thoughts are just thoughts." How do we know a thought is just a thought. And what if the thought occurs when you're doing something innocent and this most horrible thought pops in? For example holding a baby and a graphic thought comes in what do you do?
In response to: Bad thoughts?
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Bad thoughts?
ArjaySenior Contributor
Hi @Lotusgirl
I recently asked my pdoc about my racing thoughts, usually about a previous happening or about something right now. He said it is normal for everyone to have these. How do I deal with them, sometimes it's the "go away" method. Replace them with something positive, get active with something. Sometimes they are so absurd they end up "unreal". As someone said it is a thought not an action, so I don't berate myself for it.
I also remember asking a very good psychologist 20 years back about something silly I had done in my teens. Her response was well we all were a tiny bit silly in our teens.
Hope you are good
Cheers
In response to: Bad thoughts?
PurpleFlowersSenior Contributor
Hi @Lotusgirl
Its over 20 years since I had my baby but I remember all too well the terrible thoughts that popped into my head when she was little. I was so shocked at them I rang a family member straight away. I was so terrified of the power they seemed to have but I think because I was just so sensitive that thoughts really produced awful sensation in my body as well that it added to my distress. I was extremely tired, anxious and vulnerable as a new mum and so the thoughts seemed bigger than what they really were at the time. Over time I learned to not be afraid of them and the less power they had the less they seemed to pop in. I learned to kind of detach from them and observe them as not being who I really was. Eventually, with practice and that was over many years they dont just pop in at all now. You need to do what feels right for you as far as seeking assistance or whatever type of support. I just hope our sharing lessens the isolation of the experience, that definetely would have helped me back then. Take care
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
