Practical Advice On How To Stop Thinking About It

[Dana1010]

Does anyone have any practical advice on how to stop thinking about it? I mean like actual techniques with measurable efficacy. Telling me, "Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to get sick," or "Would you rather be happy or would you rather be right?" isn't helping me remove actual thoughts from my head.

Also, do you know why some people seem to be better at just stopping than others?

And how does medication figure in? Can medication help to actually stop the thoughts, or does it simply make them hurt less?

Thanks.

 

[Ed Norton]

My psychologist told me to allow my thoughts to run and not try to change them. I did that with some of my worst thoughts and I found that they left. I recently got a slight modification of that procedure where when I think negative thoughts to say or sing aloud in a silly voice the thought I'm having like 'I am thinking that I'm a failure and I have no hope :singing:' I just started that so I am seeing how it works myself.

As far as traumatic memories and thoughts, exposure therapy has lessened them a lot but I don't think they will ever go away.

 

[RussH]

Two suggestions
1. When you start thinking about it; recognize that you are doing so, and intentionally decide to stop. You may have to use self-speak: telling your self that you need to stop. Or once you realize that you are doing it again, find something else to focus on.
2. Medications will not stop you from thinking about it, but may be able to reduce the anxiety / anger / pain you feel when you think about it, and that may help you resolve the pattern.

You asked why other people seem to be better at just stopping? They do not suffer from PTSD.

PTSD can be a vicious cycle of reliving the unresolved trauma, and bringing back the original emotion; the anger / anxiety /pain, and until it is resolved we remain in this cycle, reliving it again, and again. We dwell on the insult we suffered; almost as if our psyche is trying to understand what happened, and is not able to do so.

You can break the thought process, but it will come with counseling and being taught grounding techniques that are effective for you.

I hope this helps.

 

[Dana1010]

where when I think negative thoughts to say or sing aloud in a silly voice the thought I'm having like 'I am thinking that I'm a failure and I have no hope

I've been stopping and describing them to myself or, even better, writing them down. It seems to have a cleansing effect, but I simply can't do it for most of the day, especially while running around, working, etc.

 

[Dana1010]

You may have to use self-speak: telling your self that you need to stop.

See, I tell myself nonstop that I need to stop. It just doesn't work.

They do not suffer from PTSD.

Right, what I meant was why do some of us sufferers seem to be better at it than others?

grounding techniques that are effective for you.

I guess this is sort of what I'm talking about. I just need a technique that can turn the spigot off temporarily so I can get stuff done. It seems to get the worst at the most inopportune moments, like meeting people for work, being put under pressure, etc.

 

[Sideways]

Step #1: stop trying so hard. Sounds like something a T would say, but...

If I put a piece of chocolate cake in front of you and tell you to stop thinking about the chocolate cake, what's the first thought that's gonna pop into your head? "Oh, chocolate cake".

That's just another way of saying the same suggestions as above. It takes (actual, dedicated) practice, but with time, you can allow your head to have really nasty thoughts sitting there, but be concentrating more on something else at the same time. It's not so much about 'stopping' the thoughts, as learning to function and coexist with them. Gradually they lose their overwhelming-ness.

 

[Dana1010]

you can allow your head to have really nasty thoughts sitting there, but be concentrating more on something else at the same time. It's not so much about 'stopping' the thoughts, as learning to function and coexist with them.

This is exactly what's annoying the hell out of me. It's like a movie is playing in my head while at the same time, there are these other thoughts that should be getting my full attention. I'm sick of coexisting with the movie-I want it gone. I feel better when it's gone, and not trying doesn't get me there. But thanks for your take.

 

[Ed Norton]

I'm gonna show my psychologist and T this thread, they will appreciate the content I'm sure. I am also looking for help in this area, if there are other things that I can try.

"1. When you start thinking about it; recognize that you are doing so, and intentionally decide to stop. You may have to use self-speak: telling your self that you need to stop. Or once you realize that you are doing it again, find something else to focus on."


I find that won't work for me, my thoughts actually get more intrusive if I do that or will come back later but greatly amplified.

 

[Sideways]

I've heard that saying "Stop!" out loud is helpful for some people as well, but it definitely doesn't work for me. The thoughts are stuck there until I process them through therapy.

The part that helps for me is removing the additional distress caused from actively trying to get rid of the thoughts. I hate them, but they're gonna stick around for awhile, and I know that I don't need to give them my full attention because it's not like they're changing - I know them back to front. But I've found that just removing the distress of constantly thinking "I want them gone, go away, I hate you, why won't you give me a break" is often (not always) a huge relief in terms of my ability to cope.

Different strokes for different folks:)

 

[Dana1010]

I'm gonna show my psychologist and T this thread, they will appreciate the content I'm sure. I am also looking for help in this area, if there are other things that I can try.

Please let us know if they say anything interesting.

 

[Ed Norton]

Wilco Dana