Try our new info resource - "Aladdin's Cave" (Main menu)Just added a separate link to Ash's Dropbox thread (shortcut)
Sorry to hear of your situation. I can say I have been there and often drift back towards it.My technique, as mentioned above, is to write a list of what I am going to do during the day, not to fill every minute, but with the knowledge that I will definitely be able to complete each task. There is then a real satisfaction as you complete each task, and do not get down because you have failed to complete everything. This way you sometimes complete the "bonus" task you had not planned to do in the extra time between other tasks, adding to the good feeling.With regard to the bad thoughts, we have to find what works for us. As soon as I realise I am thinking them, I shout "STOP" as loud as I can in my head, then for me I imagine I have driven up to a stop sign and go through the mental visualisation of doing a U turn and heading back the way I came, looking for the jobs I have just been doing, I then pick one I liked and do it again.I am 58, I liken my brain to a computer, occasionally I have to restart it when the screen freezes. There are mant computers you need to do this too and there are many people of all ages who have our issues
actually, the whole mental visualization thing seemed a bit daft to me until i was practically forced by my line manager to go and sign up for some CBT. after talking to my shrink for a while, the image that works for me is the ball floating in the sea. if you try to mentally force it underwater, it keeps popping up again, so i have to imagine swimming away from it (while crying "Wilson, Wilson" in a castaway style). it's amazing how complex the mind is, and how simply imagining something can change your thought pattern to a certain extent. i can imagine the rest of you normal guys out there thinking "what are these nutters talking about??"
This is a brilliant place to talk things through, and it goes to show how many people have similar issues. Its like having loads of mates with a sympathetic ear, but also slightly remote so it is probably a bit easier to share your feelings. Most blokes find it a bit difficult to speak about this kind of thing so good luck to everyone and hope things improve soon.