[Valerius]

Hey guys,
I'm a 20 year old guy; I've had bad outbreaks of intrusive thoughts before, but I managed to overcome them by simply refusing to be afraid of them. Now they've come back, and they just won't go away; it's been a long time now. It's like there's a separate me m trying to sabotage myself in my head; recently it's gotten a wee bit better, but at times it has felt like I'm a prisoner in my own mind.

I can't even do meditation anymore and have thoughts that I know are irrational, like thinking I'll never be able to write (my passion/talent) again.

If anyone could spare any advice or thoughts or words I would be so grateful!

Thanks guys,
-Justin

[Illusion]

When you say intrusive thoughts - I gather that you mean that you have thoughts that are upsetting to you. I would say - first, are you upset about something right now - or when you have the upsetting thoughts? You may not feel good about yourself because you may have been abused in some way and now you are hurting yourself by telling yourself that you won't make it, you are not good enough and so forth. Your thoughts may just be inaccurate beliefs that you have learned. You will need to establish new beliefs about yourself - new values that will help you - rather than hurt you. This is the key. Know that you are first and foremost a spirit and that you want to do well in this life - that it is your desire for goodness that gives you strength and courage to move forward. Be kind to yourself - know that you deserve a chance like everyone else. Take care and write again on how you are doing.