Intrusive Thoughts - Any Tips On Exorcising Them?

[a3a2]

My t talks about "re-framing" these obtrusive thoughts. Kind of putting the thoughts int he proper perspective, I guess. When I have managed that (usually with her help) it really works and I can get past the thoughts. But right now I am really struggling with it.

 

[JustBe]

How do you "reframe" an obtrusive thought?:confused:

 

[GeorgiaOnMyMind]

This sounded hokey to me at first, but my therapist told me to practice naming those thoughts in my head, and then moving past them. So when I have an obtrusive thought, I take a deep breath in and hold it (creating tension in the body) while I say to myself, "I acknowledge that I'm having an obtrusive thought." Then I slowly exhale (releasing that tension, slowing the heart rate) and say, "Now I'm letting it go."

Like I said--I was convinced that this would not work, until I tried it. It's amazing how well it *does* work, for me!

 

[JustBe]

OK... I'm going to give it a try:cautious:

 

[GeorgiaOnMyMind]

Movin' On--I hope you find it helpful! And, like I said, even if it feels silly at first...keep with it, you might find that it starts working after you practice a few times or find a mental "wording" that works better for you.

I'm not an expert, obviously--this is just what I've found to be true so far!

 

[The Albatross]

At some point, I had to decide which end of the horse I wanted to be, the deciding end or the butt end. I chose the former, and tend to run my thoughts through a filter of my own making... before they get to "me".

I do the dialogue in my own mind for the most part now... it is not the other way around. Do I still "feel things"? Most certainly, but whether or not I choose to attend or entertain them is now more "at my own discretion".