But some people have passing thoughts like these that somehow get stuck and start repeating themselves, forming elaborate chains of internal dialogue in an attempt to counteract the thoughts or prevent what seem like potentially impulsive actions. Have you ever stood on the edge of a train platform, minding your own business, and then, suddenly, out of the blue, for no apparent reason, had the thought “I could jump in front of the train” or “I could push that guy off the platform?” Or have you been taking care of a baby and suddenly had a revolting intrusive thought like "What if I throw the baby down the stairs" or "What if I touch the baby's genitals?" Almost everyone has passing thoughts that are frightening, disgusting, bizarre or just plain ridiculous. Maya, on (818) 809-9519 for a free 10-minute phone consultation.Unwanted, Intrusive Thoughts & "Needing to Know for Sure" If you would like some more help with overcoming obsessive thoughts, anxiety or depression, please call me, Dr. The more detached you become from the thoughts, the less you try to fight them. ‘Watching’ obsessive thoughts in your mind from a relaxed ‘distance’ is very different from being in the middle of those thoughts and feeling totally identified with them. This is a meditation technique that encourages detachment from the contents of your mind. The scenery you are watching on the train glide in and out of view and you remain detached and relaxed. Just let these thoughts pass you by with you observing, as if these thoughts are not yours. Imagine you are on a moving train, looking out of the window and watching your thoughts passing by, as if it was scenery, without judgment. We cannot keep ourselves from having obsessive thoughts, but we can refuse to “dwell” on them we can immediately try and think about other more positive things 7. Rather it is interrupting the obsessive process. This is different than trying not to think about an obsession – which only makes the obsession stronger. When you notice yourself obsessing, tell yourself “STOP” in your head and then move on to another activity. Read a novel, watch movie, play a video game on your computer or phone, go for a walk, work out at a gym. Many people reported that distracting themselves with other activities helped them to stop obsessing. What is real today? What do you need to accomplish, what are your daily tasks (e.g., work, taking care of your child, cleaning, chores etc.) 5. Redirect your attention from thoughts to actual experience. Say the word “ relax” softly in your head and take a deep breath. Tell yourself “ You’re going to be okay.” Do a relaxation exercise (positive visualization, deep breathing, yoga pose.) 4. The 3 Second RuleĪllow yourself 3 seconds to think about the obsessive item, and then purposefully redirect your attention to something more positive: a feeling, a happy memory, a pleasant vacation, or a kind word. Then write down what type of things trigger each, and what you do after. Make a list of all your obsessive thoughts. When we recognize that anxiety is the root cause of obsessions, we can understand that real healing from obsessions comes through reducing anxiety. In fact, the opposite occurs: we become stuck in our thinking and feeling, which makes it difficult to move forward. However, obsessive thinking does not help problem solving. Anxiety stimulates obsessions: we obsess because we hope to solve our problems by thinking about the same thing over and over. Struggling with obsessive thoughts does not mean your lack moral character or that you are crazy. According to experts, obsessions are normal thoughts experienced with increased frequency.
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