Let’s be honest, you’re a little crazy. You want to know something interesting though? So is everyone else. In fact, researchers have known for sometime that virtually everyone has “crazy” thoughts.
What is a crazy thought? Well, I’d say it’s any thought that you would prefer not to share with others because it could cause them to think that you are nuts. But the truth is that most people experience intense thoughts related to things like sex, violence and religion. For example, have you ever imagined yourself socking a stranger square in the face? I have and there was absolutely no reason for it.
Many people also report having thoughts of what could be considered flat-out insane behavior, such as killing loved ones, killing themselves or having sex with strangers in weird places. Now imagine what happens to a person thinking something similar when they feel anxious. You guessed it, it can cause a great deal of distress. The concern for most people, of course, is that they might actually follow through with one of their bizarre cognitions.
I touched on this problem back in 2009 but more within the context of OCD. However, over time I’ve realized that this problem is universal. The reality is that if you are alive at some point you will have a series of thoughts that could cause you to question your sanity.
This problem is particularly common among people that suffer from anxiety and depression because they tend to over analyze such thoughts and attach great meaning to them, whereas a more typical person will simply label the thought as being preposterous and move on.
So given that this issue is so common among anxious folks, I dedicated this week’s episode of The Anxiety Guru Show to crazy, unwanted thoughts.
In this week’s episode of The Anxiety Show I discuss:
- My own experience with unwanted thoughts
- My theory on how unwanted/anxious thoughts develop
- Why having crazy thoughts does not make you crazy
- What steps you can take to cope with these kinds of thoughts
Listen to The Anxiety Guru Show…
To listen, you can click the play button below or visit the AG iTunes page.
Don’t dare ever think of not doing this podcast. You have helped me immensely and many others!!
Thanks for wanting to hold our hands and make us feel better. You made my bight with this!
Great podcast as always Paul. I don’t know if you fully realize how much you help people with your site and podcasts. I have been pretty low at times, and your podcasts have been the difference for me many times. I would encourage people to make donations to help cover the costs so this work can continue. Long live anxietyguru.net!
Hi Derrick,
Thanks so much for the support.
hey Paul,
always great to get your emails, every time i see one in my in box i feel good, another lifeline on its way!
Thanks for everything you do for all of us Paul. Good luck on your test.
Thank you for being such a support to so many. Your website and podcasts have helped me so much. I was in one of my anxiety/panic modes the other day until I got ready to go to work and saw there was a new podcast. I listened on my way to work and listening changed my outlook and my day. Thank you so very much.
Paul:
You have helped me in so many ways with anxiety and panic. Thank you soooo much. When I feel a panic attack coming or my anxiety is high from daily stress I listen to you and I calm down. Is there anyway to have your Panic Attack Survival Guide put on iTunes again? I can’t find it to download it in my phone. That podcast is awesome!!! Have a wonderful day Paul and thank you for helping all of us who are dealing with anxiety and panic everyday!!!
Hi Paul, thanks for your podcast. My husband introduced me and i have been listening nonstop. i just bought your book and I am looking fwd to diving into that, too. you are doing a fantastic service!!
This is my first listen to your podcast and it was like popping to the pub with the kindest, wisest friend I ever had.
Thankyou so much 🙂
Thank you for listening Carla, I hope you find the podcast helpful. =)
I stumbled across this website tonight and gave a listen to your podcast. You are a very kind soul to be taking the time to reassure others and help. Before listening tonight, my anxiety was extremely heightened however after listening I feel great. You are so helpful..thank you for wanting to help others.
Hello Paul,
My question is to your comment in the first sentence ” that we are all a little crazy.” I don’t want to misunderstand you but are you saying we have crazy thoughts because we are crazy??? Isn’t having crazy thoughts considered normal and NOT that you’re a little crazy. Please clarify
Best dee
Hey Dee, thanks for writing in. Please take what I said with a grain of salt. I was kidding around calling everyone crazy. It’s true that most people do have bizarre thoughts sometimes, but most people are far from “crazy.” Hope that helps!
I have looked at your website and read posts and other readers comments that I have taken comfort in. I am happy that I have stumbled across this particular post about crazy thoughts. I have been struggling a lot lately and wondering why on earth I have gotten so much worse. I have been suffering from anxiety for close to 14 years! Only in the past 2 years has my condition gotten worse. I have been having really crazy thoughts that cause me extreme stress that I am even thinking them. It makes me very uneasy that I could possibly turn into someone that would do these crazy things! It helps a lot to know that I am not the only one to have these thoughts. You described it perfectly when you said a crazy thought is something that you wouldn’t want to tell another person because they would think you are nuts. That is exactly how I feel. I am going to listen to this podcast tonight before I go to sleep.
So comforting to all of those who are suffering with anxiety and/or panic and intrusive thoughts, reminding us we are not crazy and not alone! This is a common symptom of anxiety that many of us deal with and I love that you make a point to explain this. There is great security and hope in knowing others deal with this too. The fact that you take the time to share and support others with your experience and advice is so honorable and inspiring. Thank you for all that you do!
I freaking loved this podcast. I got engaged in December 2015, had my first panic Attack January. Totally unrelated to the engagement, but an access of piled up stress and hard core changes and it released itself when I was driving and I thought I went crazy. SO. I can makes this a long post, but in this journey since then, my thoughts race like no one’s business. and the “crazy” thoughts pile on, and the moment I go “wow omg, why would you think that… Do you feel that way? Of course not… but you thought it though.” and it goes on, and like always I do not act on it, but I definitely tortured myself enough, and this specific podcast made me so happy! I made my husband listen to it with me.
Thank you for your work! You have totally been a blessing in my life! thank you!
This was absolutely fantastic. I am going to keep this in my mind you are so kind and insightful. Thank you