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Nov 06 - 2024
How to Overcome Intrusive Thoughts?
How to Overcome Intrusive Thoughts
It's normal to have intrusive thoughts from time to time. Everyone has them. But if you're fixated on certain thoughts and can't seem to shake them, it might be a sign of an underlying mental health related issue.
Intrusive thoughts can be really tough to manage. One way to help deal with intrusive thoughts is to engage in healthy activities. Doing something that you enjoy or that's calming can help to take your mind off of the intrusive thoughts and help you to relax.
There are a number of different activities that you can do to help deal with these thoughts. Some people find that listening to music or reading helps to take their minds off of intrusive thoughts. Others find that doing something physical, like going for a walk or a run, helps to distract them from their thoughts.
But here at Therapists Share Space, there are a number of specific ways we suggest that you can work to overcome intrusive thoughts.
First, it's important that you understand what might be causing them. If you're under a lot of stress, for example, you might be more prone to negative thoughts. Try reading this infographic we offer to understand more about your intrusive thoughts. This psychoeducational infographic can also help increase awareness and spark conversations that can lead to change. And once you know and understand more about what might be triggering your thoughts, you can work on addressing those underlying issues.
There are also some practical things you can do to help stop the thoughts from taking over. One technique is to distract yourself with a simple activity called The Worry Script. This activity can be found here. It can help you get your mind off those intrusive thoughts. This is a homework activity, and it can be done as part of maintenance once gone through with therapeutic support for someone who has moderate to severe anxiety disorders.
Another approach is to challenge the idea. For instance, if you're having a thought about harming yourself, you might ask yourself why you would want to do that. Once you start to question these thoughts, they can lose their power over you.
Intrusive thoughts can be troubling, but there are things you can do to overcome them. It can be done by doing an activity that you enjoy or that's calming that can help to take your mind off of the intrusive thoughts and help you to relax. Or do it the best way: by understanding what might be causing your thoughts and using techniques to challenge or distract yourself from them, then you can start to gain control. Remember, if none of these suggestions work for you, please do not hesitate to seek the help of a mental health professional.
