I’m sorry about that. Fight them MF’s back with positive truths about yourself! It could be as simple as “I’m able to maintain the roof over my head.” “I’m able to nourish my body with food that boosts my energy”
Yes, keep a pen and paper by your bed and for every negative intrusive thought, write out a positive truth about yourself - no matter how small. Or write your truths on your phone. Keep those truths somewhere you will always see them as a reminder that you are more than your intrusive thoughts.
I’m very blessed in my life with amazing children & an amazing husband. He knows that I deal with that & when I start spiraling he will stay glued to me bc he knows how difficult it is for me. He loves me unconditionally & has for 28 yrs🖤
You are very blessed. I’m so glad you have an anchor in him to pull you back when it feels like you’re drifting. May you continue to be a live anchor for one another, always.💚
this works UNLESS your intrusive thoughts are due to ocd and lead to distress, which then leads to compulsions (reassurance seeking, checking behaviors, taking safety precautions, avoidance, mental review)
resisting & directly facing the thought with things such as “maybe, maybe not” “I don’t need to figure that out” “that may be true, but I’m going to continue with my day”
simply replacing negative intrusive thoughts with a positive thought/image can become a compulsion for those with ocd
if this applies to anyone reading this, it may be worth diagnosis & treatment. you can get better. ERP (exposure & response prevention) is the gold standard treatment for OCD.
if this doesn’t apply to you, cool. save the info for a friend because ocd is much more common than we realize.
SN: this isn’t ONLY helpful for OCD. also applies to social anxiety, health anxiety, somatic symptoms, specific phobias, generalized anxiety, etc
in general, a lot of us can benefit from accepting uncertainty & letting discomfort be present. we don’t always have to fix it. it can go away naturally.
Comments
this works UNLESS your intrusive thoughts are due to ocd and lead to distress, which then leads to compulsions (reassurance seeking, checking behaviors, taking safety precautions, avoidance, mental review)
best way is to sit w/ the distress/uncertainty —
simply replacing negative intrusive thoughts with a positive thought/image can become a compulsion for those with ocd
if this doesn’t apply to you, cool. save the info for a friend because ocd is much more common than we realize.
in general, a lot of us can benefit from accepting uncertainty & letting discomfort be present. we don’t always have to fix it. it can go away naturally.