Posted by Jost on September 8, 2006, at 18:25:13
In reply to Re: Intrusive thoughts identified... ***TRIGGER*** » Racer, posted by Dinah on September 8, 2006, at 9:41:19
From what little I've read, it's counter-productive to try to block intrusive thoughts--or berate yourself for having them, as Dinah said.
One time, I had one-- and I substituted another, rather silly and mundane thought for it. It's not quite laughing at it-- I felt too weird about having the thought. But I did think about the silly thing instead. Whether this would work? It worked that time-- but maybe it was luck, or the thought wasn' t that intrusive. But every time I got the thought, I just sort of substituted the other, rather silly thought. Maybe you have to find the right silly thought?
I do know it's hard to overcome something with nothing. In breaking a habit, it helps to use a new habit rather than simply not-doing the old thing--
I've heard that it's good to accept the thought and that you have it, but then to become aware of the fact of having it.
It shifts attention from whatever it is onto consciousness of your thought processes. That, first of all, can be interesting, rather than so frightening-- even if you don't like the thought-- and maybe lead to other assocations, and away from it
Jost.
poster:Jost
thread:684139
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060826/msgs/684302.html