How do you get rid of violent thoughts of hurting people?

Question

My cat just knocked an ashtray all over the place when I'm right in the middle of something and I feel like breaking his paws and killing him. But I won't because I love him. He's constantly knocking stuff on to the floor and making huge messes I have to clean every 5 or 10 minutes and it makes me so mad.

Also when I have arguments with people I would never physically harm in real life I often daydream of torturing and killing them because they make me so angry. How do I stop having violent daydreams of hurting people?

This is something I can't tell my psychiatrist or I'd be locked up. Just wondering if someone else out there has the same problem and what they do about it to get over it.

Answer 1

These thoughts that impose your mind can be delt with one of two ways. Get them out as soon as they come in, or continue to let the fantasie play out, allowing more time for these thoughts to keep coming back.
I'd try, everytime a thought like this comes into your head imagine yourself helping the person up or hugging them or saying something nice. Replacing the bad thoughts with possitive thoughts will hopefully get your brain to create a new habit of thinking helpful instead of hurtful. I'm sure these thoughts will never fully go away but there are ways to control you mind. Your mind is a powerful thing...everything that happens in the physical starts in the mental. Never underestimate it. Good luck!

Answer 2

Look. I really admire your honesty and if you really care about others and don't want to hurt anyone, you will make this sacrifice and honestly tell your psychiatrist. It is the right thing to do to help yourself and others. If you can't stop these thoughts you may not be able to control the way that you react to these thoughts some day and you don't want to end up in jail or with the guilty feelings of having hurt others. If you really care about yourself and others you will get the help you need. Please do it.

Besides, the psychiatrists only recommend hospitalization if you are a threat to yourself or others. You have no intention of acting on these thoughts. And so far you have managed to not act on them. Hang in there and get that help, you'll feel a lot better! Good luck and congratulations on taking the first step.

Answer 3

Hey, I'm with you on the cat. My cat pees on me when I don't change her box every day. I definitely feel like strangling her, but I don't! Any how, sounds to me like you're deeling with some anxiety and possibly some OCD. Anxiety can amplify normal emotions. Angry becomes ANGRY if you know what I mean. OCD sometimes causes people to visulize violent acts that they would never do, but it becomes so upsetting that they start doing things to try and ward it off. (counting objects...like MONK accept usually NOT that extreme) You can see your family practitioner for this. They may suggest counceling, but drugs may work better for some of the extreme moods...alprazolam has a good rep. and a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor would help both problems. (lexapro, or citalapram) Worth a shot...nothing to lose except your mind!! :)

Answer 4

First of all, I am not being judgemental. I really am just trying to help so please understand that.
As far as you cat goes, if you really love him, find a new home for him, bring him to a shelter and let them know that he is in danger if he stays with you. It is best to put his safety first if you are having these thoughts. You never know when you might snap and do something you know you will regret. I know this is hard to do when you love something, but love means sacrifice.
Second, I know you don't want to tell you psychiatrist in fear of getting locked up. I can only imagine the panic you feel at that thought. I would never intentionally impose that feeling on anyone. I do urge you to consider how you would feel after the fact if you did ever carry through with those thoughts. Who is to say that you won't. Wouldn't you rather just be honest with your psychiatrist and see if there is anything he/she can do with medication to help control these thoughts. The only alternative is to continue to try to deal with this on your own and take the chance that you could seriously hurt someone or even kill them. I know that if you are looking for help before it happens that you would feel really bad after the fact. Do you really think that feeling is worth not getting the help that could have prevented it to begin with? Love yourself. Get help!

Answer 5

Whenever you have those feelings, take a deep breath and slowly count to 10.
If that's not enough to dispell your anger, take a break, go somewhere away from the object of your anger, and try to think happy thoughts.
Try to think of the reason why you have these thoughts, and ways you can resolve that anger.
Learning meditation could also be helpful.

If all else fails, consult a psychologist.

Answer 6

I know someone else who has these thoughts. I think that person has a lot of pent up anger. They were abused as a child and have every right to be angry. These thoughts really scare them. I think it would help if you try to work out what all that anger is about and look for a way to heal your spirit. Best wishes.

Answer 7

You can't necessarily get rid of them. Sorry to disappoint you. Do something creative with these thoughts to keep them under control. Write a story where characters have these thoughts. It seems Steven King made millions and stayed sane this way. Better to think instead of acting. Trust me...don't act on these thoughts. I've taken to throwing things at my cat and now she hates me and makes an even bigger mess. I think if I killed her the guilt would kill me. Mean and annoying people eventually screw themselves. Don't give them the satisfaction of getting to you.

Answer 8

You need to see a qualified clinical psychologist or psychiatrist about this; to have such thoughts so vividly and frequently isn't normal and requires the help of a professional.

Answer 9

You can tell your doctor about these thoughts and they won't lock you up because it's confidential.

Mental health doctors are there for a reason, to help people with problems such as yourself.

Answer 10

Find a Christian based faith filled church. Pray to God to deliver your mind from evil thoughts. Speak positive words over your life, words carry a lot of power. Surround yourself with people of faith who believe in prayer, and healing. Don't worry about denomination as long as they believe in faith and the power of God. Don't try to get too much advice from just anyone here, you'd be better off talking to a psychiatrist who is trained. It's okay to take your medication. But also get involved in church, and learn how to fight those demonic thoughts. It's spritual warfare, and a lot of people unless they're really Christians don't have a clue about spritual warfare.

God has healed me, and can heal you. But you have to believe that he exists, and can heal you,, and all you have to do is ask for healing

But it is okay to take your medication as well as trusting in God

Start reading your bible out loud, and meditating upon the Word of God. Join church immediately. There's power in the Word! Be in courage in Jesus name!