Overcoming Habitual Thought

[illusionist]

From my experience, you can't go round it.....you have to go through it.

 

[VioletButterfly]

The only thing that ever worked for me was mindfulness training. Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now. So, instead of "stopping" your thoughts, with mindfulness you *notice* them as they occur. What we tend to do with thoughts is grab onto them and then add to them.

I'm reading a book on this right now. It is entitled, "The Mindful Way Through Depression." There is also a mindful way through anxiety book, but this is what was available at the library first. So, well, I think the same principles apply... I got to the point of being able to sit with this book and the concept of mindfulness by working through "my stuff" using aspects of CBT, DBT and ACT, and through reading and participating in discussions of mindfulness and self-compassion here at the forum. Force is a "no no" for me in terms of recovery (can't use the "stop" sign method), so it has taken a great deal of time and a great deal of work and practice just to be able to sit with the book for more than 5 minutes. It is a daily issue for me that takes daily maintenance and work to just keep my mental feet in a healthier place. Self-compassion and self-care are key companions on the mindful path to recovery.

If you search for mindfulness and self-compassion, there are many recommendations made by Ms Spock that are extremely helpful in this regard. Sending support..... VB

 

[EmmaOwl]

I can durn well choose my response to that thought.

I wish I could do that.

 

[whiteraven]

I'm reading a book on this right now. It is entitled, "The Mindful Way Through Depression."

This is also available as an audio book. I really like it!