Intrusive thought

TessAnne
Community Member

Hi I've always struggled with 1 intrusive thought since 2008. I would get triggered by 1 actual thought & I make it scary by my thinking. The thought latches on & I can't conttol it. My heart beats fast & my life is negatively affected. It's happened to me again 3 months ago when a thought popped up & I was scared by it even though I knew it was ridiculous. I would get rid of that thought & another 1 would pop up. I have not read any posts that are similar to me & if anyone knows someone or heard about this, I would so appreciate it.

1 Reply 1

CaneNero
Community Member

This happens to me also sometimes. 

 

The way that I make it go away is I take away the power of the thought. 

 

Think to yourself "ok here is that thought again. It doesn't matter. I know that I don't really care about this thought. It's not true. I don't care"

 

Do not force the thoughts to go away. Acknowledge them "ok here is that thought" and act like it's not a problem at all for you. "It doesn't mean anything it's not true" 

 

And then distract yourself with something like music or something to take the focus away. 

 

Don't feed the thoughts. Try not to focus on them too much. But also don't immediately push the thoughts away - because that makes them more scary and focuses on them. Notice when it happens and have a reaction such as rolling your eyes and taking a deep breath and shaking your arms or something similar. "Ok here is that thought again" "not a big deal, it's here but it will go"

 

And your mind will stop being compulsive after time. Just have to give the thoughts less power and not feed them.

 

It's also a similar thing that cured my panic attacks.