I have an embarrassing and disturbing problem.

[mountain_tiger]

Link to original post: [drupal=2061]I have an embarrassing and disturbing problem.[/drupal]



OK, this is going to sound extremely weird and messed up when I say it, but bear with me. There's this problem that I've been having on-and-off for a little while now.

Here's the problem: I keep having images of people I know getting injured in very gory and disturbing ways e.g. limb mutilation, being knifed etc. I realise that the chances of these sorts of things happening are very little, but I still get the images.

And everytime I bang my knee or something like that, I get visions of the leg being cut off at that point, or something along those lines, and then I feel creeped out for the next five minutes. All of the visions are really horrible, involving lots of blood, death, and sometimes even ****. Even writing this message about it makes me shudder.

So, what should I do? Should I go and get some psychiatric help, or is the sort of thing that will stop after a while (it only started happening around three or four weeks ago)? I'm not making this stuff up; it's really creepy. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's awful when it does.

 

[Sosuke]

Have you been watching scary movies or something like that lately?

 

[mountain_tiger]

Have you been watching scary movies or something like that lately?

No, nothing like that.

 

[Frown]

It's probably your age. You just turned 16, your mind is still developing and a lot of stuff is going on in there which you can't really control.

When you start to get these thoughts, think of something you're really interested in, or something you look forward to. Or start talking with somebody.

 

[cookieM0Nster]

Get psychiatric help. It is nothing to be ashamed of, there is probably something at the root of it all.

 

[bobson]

I was hoping this thread would be a lot more entertaining from reading the title.

 

[j0s3ph]

You'll grow out of it. I had something like it a few months ago, but its gone now. Just give it time.

I was hoping this thread would be a lot more entertaining from reading the title.

This too.

 

[RyuReiatsu]

Get psychiatric help. It is nothing to be ashamed of, there is probably something at the root of it all.

This.
If you're not watching horror movies (my sis has almost the same problem, but that's because she always watches such things.)... It might have a deeper meaning. It should be coming from somewhere. It could be a trauma. from long ago or something... Psychiatric help is the best, don't let it drag too long.

 

[Ishiey]

Get psychiatric help. It is nothing to be ashamed of, there is probably something at the root of it all.

This (again)

I think you would be much better off if you could be sure that this problem would go away soon. Imagining friends in serious pain constantly cannot be fun.

 

[scorekid100]

when you start getting these images go watch porn...if that doesn't help go watch a video of mango ****** **** with jiggz. If THAT doesn't doesn't work go seek psychiatric help like most others have said.

 

[dualseeker]

I say talk to your friends about this. They might be able to help you through this. They're your friends and I'm sure that they will understand.

 

[Teran]

Bah it's nothing man, it isn't disturbing.
A lot of my dreams can be much more so.

 

[mzink*]

Maybe you aren't getting enough sleep. You're brain does funny things when you are sleep deprived.

I also agree with the people that said you might grow out of it. Teenagers brains are chemically different from the other stages of life in the way that they mostly operate on the emotion of fear. Sometimes teens go through a lot of strange things mentally and emotionally that they grow out of with time.

 

[urdailywater]

Bah it's nothing man, it isn't disturbing.
A lot of my dreams can be much more so.

Your avatar gets more disturbing every day..

I had something similar to this -- you can either get psychiatric help or just have time pass it by. Psychiatric help might be the better solution if you're willing to do it at least. But I say just grow out of it if you don't want to.
edit:

I say talk to your friends about this. They might be able to help you through this. They're your friends and I'm sure that they will understand.

Do NOT do this unless you want to come off as creepy, lol. Unless they're like, really really tight buds, but I myself would find it weird if friend told this to me. And I really doubt it'll help you grow out of it.

Also, another solution is if you choose to grow out of it, just start instantly thinking about something good or fun. (when it happens)

 

[Arbutus]

Oh dude, I know the best way to get them images to stop.

Gun
Ur fayse
Balls

<3

ObviouslyI'mnotbeingserious. I wouldn't read into it tooooo much. You never consider making these images a glorious reality, riiiight?

 

[El Nino]

Here's the problem: I keep having images of people I know getting injured in very gory and disturbing ways e.g. limb mutilation, being knifed etc. I realise that the chances of these sorts of things happening are very little, but I still get the images.

And everytime I bang my knee or something like that, I get visions of the leg being cut off at that point, or something along those lines, and then I feel creeped out for the next five minutes. All of the visions are really horrible, involving lots of blood, death, and sometimes even ****. Even writing this message about it makes me shudder.

Go see a counselor. I'm not a psychologist, but that sounds like symptoms of an anxiety-related disorder, in particular, obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some people with OCD get that kind of fear of extreme injuries happening to people around them, which is why they have to perform strange rituals to stop themselves from feeling that fear. If you're still young, you may not have developed those rituals yet. Other people with those symptoms never develop compulsions at all and suffer from anxiety disorder rather than OCD. Would you consider your "creeped out" reaction to these visions to be something like panic?

I have to also ask, when these visions occur, do they overlap with your sense of reality? Or are you still able to tell the difference between reality and fantasy? If you CAN'T tell the difference between what's real and what isn't, definitely go see a counselor. But you seem to know that these visions are just visions and aren't real, so I would guess that it's an anxiety-related disorder.

But yeah, go see a counselor. You may not need psychiatric help if therapy solves the problem (psychiatry involves the use of medication and only comes into play for extreme cases).

P.S. I am not a psychologist.

 

[Grey Belnades]

Maybe you aren't getting enough sleep. You're brain does funny things when you are sleep deprived.

I also agree with the people that said you might grow out of it. Teenagers brains are chemically different from the other stages of life in the way that they mostly operate on the emotion of fear. Sometimes teens go through a lot of strange things mentally and emotionally that they grow out of with time.

It's probably your age. You just turned 16, your mind is still developing and a lot of stuff is going on in there which you can't really control.

When you start to get these thoughts, think of something you're really interested in, or something you look forward to. Or start talking with somebody.

These are the ones I agree with most, if it doesn't grow out in a month or two, Then I would suggest seeking psychiatric help.

 

[Man of Popsicle]

You don't need to see a crackpot doctor because you see wierd images.

 

[Arbutus]

You don't need to see a crackpot doctor because you see wierd images.

You can trust us Ness mains! We've consumed the cake. We've bested the modern art! We've endured countless pop culture references. We've waded through the Sea of Eden!
We've seen this world! WE KNOW THE TRUTH!

 

[El Nino]

"Some common obsessions include having frequent thoughts of violence and harming loved ones...."

From this site:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder.shtml

Other resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obsessivecompulsivedisorder.html#cat5

You can also see the other articles on the site and see if your symptoms match any other disorder.

Psych medications tend to have bad side-effects on children and teens, but maybe your problem is simple enough to be solved through talk therapy.

If it bothers you enough to make you post about it and be embarrassed by it, you probably shouldn't just ignore it. If a professional checks you out and finds you okay and sends you home with a warning to stop listening to random crackpots on the Internet, then it's no harm, no foul. Better than having it steamroll you for the next decade.

Better safe than sorry, in my view. And I've got ten years' worth of sorry.

EDIT: Forgot to say, it might not be the best idea to go around telling friends or people at your school. It's probably better to keep it between you and your counselor. These days, I hear that school administrators are kind of jumpy and may overreact. At least that seems to be the case in the U.S. Don't know how it is over where you are.

 

[LordoftheMorning]

I get that sometimes. I'll be talking to someone and suddenly I think "I could kill this person right now!"

The possibility frightens me. It doesn't bother me too much, though. I just think and act a little carefully for the next few minutes and move on. I don't get it that frequently. I think in my case it's just a case of thinking too much, but if something like that is disturbing you to that extent, get help.

Go see a psychiatrist. I've talked to several through the course of my life. They're usually pretty cool people, actually. There's nothing at all to be ashamed of, though. Mental health is no different from physical health, and you need to understand that. Something goes wrong, it's not your fault, but you get it fixed. No shame, no fear.

 

[Deleted member]

I wouldn't do anything if it was me. These things usually have ways of sorting themselves out.

 

[RyuReiatsu]

I wouldn't do anything if it was me. These things usually have ways of sorting themselves out.

You mean eating salt & vinegar chips or watching adult movies ?

 

[illinialex24]

Yeah, your gonna likely need psychiatric help, could be a stage or could possibly have bvad effects.

 

[MidnightAsaph]

Well, I've had nothing like that before, but...

I don't know what to tell you, I'm insane, so if I were going through what you were going through, I'd laugh at it. "lol wtf was that?" But since this is serious, I would honestly just go get help to make sure it's not you just being crazy (in a personality kinda way).

 

[REL38]

You mean eating salt & vinegar chips or watching adult movies ?

lol at randomness.

I say wait for it to go away and not think about it. If you make a big deal out of it, then you're just gonna have yourself go through unneeded stress. Going to a doctor should be your last resort.

You'll either end up on meds or in a straight jacket.

And don't listen to the little voice in your head.

 

[GTA_Hater_331]

If I were you, I'd give it 12 days at most before seeking psychiatric help. Do you think this is anything your parents or guardians can help you with?

I understand you haven't seen any horror or slasher films lately, but you're not alone in how much you'd hate 'em. My Bottom 40 Films of 2007 is thick with lousy excuses for horror films.

 

[KrIsP!]

I'd say we all have those moments. If yours are incredibly frequent though and you really feel it's beginning to pose a problem, maybe seeking help would be best. Of course it's important to know these are just thoughts, if you can ignore or control them then it's fine.

For a week I kept thinking my back would be all bloody with small chucks of flesh sticking to it...it stopped, bringing it up makes me feel all...goosebumpyish?

 

[Ocho(*8*)]

I get that sometimes. I'll be talking to someone and suddenly I think "I could kill this person right now!"

I know, me too!

I'll be standing in the kitchen with a huge *** knife and someone will be bending over, rummaging through cuboards and its like, "wow, that would be easy."

 

[RyuReiatsu]

lol at randomness.

I say wait for it to go away and not think about it. If you make a big deal out of it, then you're just gonna have yourself go through unneeded stress. Going to a doctor should be your last resort.

You'll either end up on meds or in a straight jacket.

And don't listen to the little voice in your head.

It's not that random, is it ?
I mean, what's better than do those at the same time to stop worrying?

I know, me too!

I'll be standing in the kitchen with a huge *** knife and someone will be bending over, rummaging through cuboards and its like, "wow, that would be easy."

Happens to me too! But thing is, I'm kinda sadistic. I've always loved violence...

 

[Man of Popsicle]

Why do you need someone who is an expert in a field of medecine that has no scientific grounds, and pay him so he can talk you through it?

 

[RyuReiatsu]

Why do you need someone who is an expert in a field of medecine that has no scientific grounds, and pay him so he can talk you through it?

You got any better idea?

 

[Man of Popsicle]

You got any better idea?

Wait it out or control your own thoughts?
Not like it's going to last forever.

 

[El Nino]

If he lives in a place where health care is provided by the government, he wouldn't have to pay for it because, essentially, he or his parents have already been paying for it in taxes. On the other hand, if he is covered under his parents' private insurance, then mental health services may well already be covered in their monthly premium.

Wait it out or control your own thoughts?

Obviously, if a person can control it, then there's no need for professional help. But if he finds that he can't control it, or if it causes him enough distress that it starts to severely impact his life, it's better to consult a professional.

Not like it's going to last forever.

Don't be so sure. It varies from case to case. For some, it goes away. For others, it doesn't. Again, if his distress is minimal, he can probably wait it out. But if he is "creeped out" for up to five minutes at a time, it may start to wear him down mentally, especially if the frequency of occurrence increases.

a field of medecine that has no scientific grounds, and pay him so he can talk you through it?

Psychology has had a bad rep ever since it was founded, and that's likely due to the lack of physical evidence to support the theory. However, towards the end of the last century, discoveries in the field of neurology have isolated many of the biochemical processes behind mental disorders such as clinical depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and OCD. So, the physical evidence is there, and it has to do with different regions of the brain and the inter-play of neurotransmitters. Yet, even with the physical evidence, psychology often comes under attack by critics, and I suspect that is because although neurology has found the answers, psychology is still the method by which diagnoses are made. People often don't understand biology, and even if they do, they seem to distrust the psychology of a diagnosis because psychology is a study that is so made up of theory rather than empirical evidence. But psychology is often times the only method of diagnosis (as far as I am aware) because there does not currently exist convenient ways of measuring the neurology of a patient in a treatment setting.

However, regardless of whether a person supports psychology as a field or not, there is still enough evidence to suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy does help patients with conditions like OCD. I think that if the OP could control his thoughts on his own, that would be better for him and less time consuming than therapy. However, I think if he risked embarrassing himself to his online friends to talk about it, it probably bothers him a great deal. Most people do try to control these things on their own. When they start seeking outside help, it's because they simply can't do it on their own. I hope a person wouldn't blame an Alzheimer's patient for being unable to remember things, and I hope a person wouldn't blame a patient with anxiety disorder or OCD for being unable to control his/her anxiety or obsessive thoughts.

 

[mzink*]

Obviously, if a person can control it, then there's no need for professional help. But if he finds that he can't control it, or if it causes him enough distress that it starts to severely impact his life, it's better to consult a professional.

This.

What most of us are pretty much trying to say is, how you feel about it should be what determines how you address it. If you were just wondering about it, I wouldn't worry too much, people go through all kinds of mental things as they grow and mature. As you're brain develops certain areas and chemicals go into hyper drive which can cause reactions based on fear and anger. Those areas of the brain do not settle down until at least early 20's usually.

But if it is to the point that it is putting you in distress or has become a real problem, you can take steps to help you handle it (ie) what El Nino was suggesting. Therapy has a good affect on many people trying to cope with various things. I know a few people which therapy has has a great impact on their lives. Its more common than people think.