My mind is constantly bringing up horrific images I've seen and caused me to not sleep! How can I get it out!?

Question

I find that my mind is constantly bringing up random things I've seen in my life. Be it creepy images, embarrassing moments, gorey scenes in a movie... anything! Yesterday, I saw a close up picture of a larvae infested female breast. The picture is said to be a digitally created picture of what it would look like. Then I saw the real picture. The fake one was even more disgusting. Even now as I type this message, I can feel my mind picturing the image inside my head! I tried to think of other things, but no matter what I try to do to distract myself, I will see a faint image of the picture inmy mind! I tried to imagine it being erased or covered up by something else, but the image will keep popping back up. I couldn't sleep until 4am yesterday because of this. When I finally fell asleep, it was because I took sleeping pills! Please help me! Anyone! I need my sleep! This week it may be the larvae picture, next week it could be something else. I need a cure to end this madness!!!

Answer 1

The more you are telling yourself to forget something, the more you remember it because you need to remember what you want to forget in order to identify what you're trying to forget -- IF you can follow my circular logic. With my mood disorder, I get nights like that too -- usually when I have to get up early and rested (which adds worry to the already hellish feelings and insomnia) but here ar a few suggestions (in random order) that have worked for me as long as I don't always do the same thing because repetition gets old fast when you are struggling with something: variety is the spice of life. 1- SEX If you are in a relationship, a good romp before nodding off puts you in a more pleasant place in your mind. 2- CLASSICAL MUSIC OR SOOTHING NATURE SOUNDS Sound therapy has been proven effective for many 3- SMOKING A JOINT Although a controversial substance, it can truly mellow out a person. Just don't overdo it 4- STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL Booze is a depressant -- which is negative. Two negatives only make a positive in mathematics!! 5- DO SOMETHING GOOD Get up and do something constructive around your house: Do that last bit of laundry you never seem to get to, Rearrange your closet or drawers or something, Finish a project or a sketch or a painting 6- ANIMAL THERAPY Pets have a way to make you feel better so cuddle your cat or take your dog for a walk 7- TAKE A BUBBLE BATH Perhaps a tad of aromatherapy coupled with soft music as you soak the yuckiness away and visualize all that yuckiness going down the drain after you're done. I hear lavender is a very relaxing feel-good smell. 8- GAMES Go online and play a game of euchre or crib or scrabble or something. Interactive internet games can put you in a different perspective and maybe you can make a friend 1/2 way around the world as a bonus!! Just try not to stay online all night :) 9- PAINT YOUR TOENAILS Doing something esthetic just for yourself can be a positive pick-me-up. Just don't do something irreversable nor drastic. I've had the worst haircuts when I was in a dark mood and just told the stylist "Do whatever -- I need a change" 10- MOVIES Put a different picture in your mind by watching your favorite comedy movie. An hour and a half of laughing beats 5 hours of "I need to get to sleep I need to get to sleep..." any day! Remember, you are not alone. Everybody gets edgy because of past negativity. But replacing negativity with positivity, although it takes time, helps put things into perspective. Meanwhile, never ever give up. Some of us don't have a logical explanation for the hellish pictures in our heads and have little if any control over our thoughts. If you try positivity, you have a 50/50 chance of success but if you don't persevere, you have a 100% chance of failure. Where do YOU think the odds are better? Good luck, and good night! xo

Answer 2

Try getting an interest beyond your need for sleep. the more you stress over it the worse it's going to get. Why on earth would you be looking at that kind of crap anyway?
The way to get control of your mind is to fill it with things YOU want in it. Sing, Read, Dance, Paint, bike, garden, knit, cook, learn a language, join a club, take a class...
There are millions of things to fill your day with. Find the one or two that you love and do them. If you're tired from a GOOD day you'll sleep better.
And don't underestimate the power of prayer and meditation. These things help clear the mind of clutter and bring peace.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Sounds like you need to re-evaluate what your see everyday. Sensitive imagination. Stay away from bothersome images. Train your mind to block those images out. Dont take sleeping pills. They are very addiciting.
Think of funny, happy images.

Answer 4

First of all dont panic, there is nothing physical this is your mind (your subconcious mind playing tricks). The reason that the images are so horrific is that your subconcious mind is unable to show you what is really troubling you so simulates it with a scary but silly image. You need to learn to relax before going to sleep. Try reading a good book and listening to relaxation tapes. Even a couple of drinks but no more will help. Secondly you need to write down the things in your life that are troubling you as these are the reason for these horrible images for each one write down something you are going to do about it.

This will get you control and relieve the anxiety and the dreams. If the condition continues to get worse have a chat with your doctor but try not to panic it happens to a lot of us

Answer 5

You may have anxiety. It will cause you to worry about things you have no control over. You will need to try and keep your mind off of it. Pray at night that God clear your mind so you can rest. Rebuke Satan before you go to sleep. If that doesn't work. You need to have more faith. Try drinking milk or eating cereal before bed. It will calm you. If nothing else helps you may need to see a Dr. for stress releiving medication for anxiety.

Answer 6

Consult a good psychiatrist and follow his advice. If you believe in God, you may pray to remove such images from your mind ,keeping the image of your God [if allowed by your religion] while praying.Pray regularly with all sincerity, you will certainly be benefit ted. Good luck

Answer 7

You need to see a psychiatrist. No lay person can answer this question. There are other possibly deep-rooted symptoms that are causing you to recall these images.

Answer 8

First of all, when you tell yourself NOT to think about something, you are more likely to think about it! Irony, I know. It sounds like you might need to speak to your doctor about a weeks supply of Ambien CR 12.5 mg. If you do get it, take it RIGHT BEFORE bed. Literally. If you have a tv in your room, turn it off. Even if your mind is running ramped, it will knock you out quickly. After the 12.5, go down to 6 mg. After three days, cut that in half. Two days, none. This will train your brain. In the interim, I suggest you find counseling for your thoughts.

Answer 9

PRAY!

Answer 10

Stop looking at any such things. Stop it now. Begin to cleanse your mind by putting in stronger thoughts and the Strongest Thoughts in this universe come from God's Word, the Bible.
Here is just one of those. "I will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me because he trusts in Me." Isaiah the prophet (in the Bible) Your mind is a precious thing and affects every single thing you do, including relationships. People are going to think there is something seriously wrong with you if you keep looking at things that will over power your mind. Read some in the Bible every single day. The more you read and ask the Lord to open your mind and cleanse out the bad things you have put in there, the stronger and more confident you become. So read a lot.
Your friend, Malcolm PS I suggest your begin reading the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament. Have a great and clean minded life!

Answer 11

u need to supplement your sleeping pills by washing them down with a large bottle of jack daniels that should do the trick