Author Topic: How to stop intrusive thoughts (Read 1686 times)

Agnes1986 · « **on:** August 25, 2017, 07:29:38 PM »

Hello beautiful people

I found this and I wanted to share with you all cause it was very useful for me
(Source: http://www.sound-mind.org/obsessive-thinking.html#.WaAcePgjHIU)

The steps you can take to help break the cycle of repetitive, scary thoughts.
1. Revisualization - take a few times throughout the day where you can sit comfortably and visualize your scary thoughts in a more less threatening way. You can use humor or stupidity to downplay those thoughts to less frightening thoughts. Whenever the thought pops into your head throughout the day, remember your NEW visual and take the time to picture them differently.

2. Positive Self-Talk - use self-talk that reassures you that you would never carry out the thoughts you think. You have the power to DO or NOT DO anything you want. Remind yourself that it's okay that those thoughts are there. Do not resist them.... accept them as just "thoughts" and nothing more. They cannot hurt you or make you do anything you don't want to do.

3. Shrink the chatter box! - see your obsessive thinking as nothing but thoughts. These thoughts are nothing but a loud chatter box that never shuts up and the more it irritates you, the stronger and louder it gets. Realize that you can shrink the chatter box, simply by accepting that it's there and downsizing the importance of what it's saying. The better you get at doing this, the more you will realize that your repetitive thoughts fade into the background and become less threatening and important to you.

4. Thought Stopping- Thought stopping is a technique that is highly effective when used alone or when used in conjunction with the other steps listed here.

It is not uncommon for people to think that it won't work for them, but I assure you that if you work hard, you can feel comfortable again in your own mind. Some people need the aid of a therapist, coach or even medication and this is completely acceptable. See your doctor or coach for further help. This is what they are there for!

I want to be sure that you know that all people experience random thoughts on a regular basis. They are thoughts that don't really mean anything, they just come in and go out. The problem with the anxious person is that they are more sensitive and aware of these thoughts and when they find a thought that is scary, obscene or "wrong", they pull it aside and pick it apart and try to analyze why they are having it. Instead of "letting it go" and dismissing it for the very fact that it has no importance, they dissect it looking for reasons.

The main cause for obsessive scary thoughts is exhaustion and stress and they can be overcome with education, understanding, support.