How to deal with obsessions

Dealing with obsessions can be a challenge, but there are strategies that can help. It is important to understand what obsessions are, as well as the underlying causes of obsessive thoughts in order to effectively deal with them.

Obsessions are defined as persistent and intrusive thoughts or ideas which cause distress and interfere with daily functioning. They can be related to fears around personal safety, beliefs about germs or disease, perfectionism, worries about the future or past events, intense preoccupations with certain objects and activities, religious beliefs odd sensations and emotions. Common symptoms of obsession may include difficulty concentrating on tasks; fear of something bad happening; distress caused by an inability to control one’s thoughts; over-planning; avoidance behaviour in relation to certain items/activities; emotional intensity at times when engaged in particular activities/items but feeling ‘flat’ when not engaged in those activity/items etc.

The first step towards dealing with obsessions is understanding what they are and why they occur. The most effective way to do this is through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which involves identifying patterns of thoughts (cognitions) which precede the obsessive behaviours – for example if you obsess about cats you would look for any ideas or expectations you held prior that catalyse such thinking – then developing thought-stopping techniques through challenging these cognitions and replacing them more adaptive ones - evoking rational responses instead of jumps into irrational conclusions. CBT also emphasises relaxation strategies such as meditation breathing exercises which work on reducing the physical tension associated with having intrusive obsessive thoughts. Exposure response prevention (ERP), a form of behavioural therapy , has been found particularly helpful for individuals struggling specifically with compulsive behaviours such exposure will initially increase anxiety levels however it is often successful in reducing levels after several sessions when facing feared objects head on, whilst actively engaging in supportive self talk aimed at controlling physiological arousal during response prevention stages level out allowing clients more freedom from compulsion inducing anxiety.

Supportive self talk used during ERP should focus upon reinforcement methods based upon positive contributions made towards maintaining healthy change , so rather than focusing sometimes negative language i e ‘I must not think like this’ use encouraging phrases i e ” I have coped well today, I am taking small steps each day towards reducing my obsessional thinking". Setting realistic goals should also form part of intervention; trying too hard all at once often leads us back into compulsions so taking small bite size chunks allows us greater opportunity for progress.

Challenging catastrophic thinking can also help reduce ways our overwhelming anxious responding overtakes rational responses - will this really happen? What's worse case scenario? How likely is it that worse case scenario will actually materialise? Second guessing your own cognitive processes around how much choice we actually have over situations et al plays an important role within helping yourself gain perspective regarding how debilitating our own interpretations became Social support networks should plays a key roll; creating safe spaces where people feel respected accepted provides vital components within recovery process ensuring mental health requirements remain consistent alongside other areas life continue ongoing healthy psychological growth...

Dealing with obsessions can be a challenge, but there are strategies that can help. It is important to understand what obsessions are, as well as the underlying causes of obsessive thoughts in order to effectively deal with them.

Obsessions are defined as persistent and intrusive thoughts or ideas which cause distress and interfere with daily functioning. They can be related to fears around personal safety, beliefs about germs or disease, perfectionism, worries about the future or past events, intense preoccupations with certain objects and activities, religious beliefs odd sensations and emotions. Common symptoms of obsession may include difficulty concentrating on tasks; fear of something bad happening; distress caused by an inability to control one’s thoughts; over-planning; avoidance behaviour in relation to certain items/activities; emotional intensity at times when engaged in particular activities/items but feeling ‘flat’ when not engaged in those activity/items etc.

The first step towards dealing with obsessions is understanding what they are and why they occur. The most effective way to do this is through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which involves identifying patterns of thoughts (cognitions) which precede the obsessive behaviours – for example if you obsess about cats you would look for any ideas or expectations you held prior that catalyse such thinking – then developing thought-stopping techniques through challenging these cognitions and replacing them more adaptive ones - evoking rational responses instead of jumps into irrational conclusions. CBT also emphasises relaxation strategies such as meditation breathing exercises which work on reducing the physical tension associated with having intrusive obsessive thoughts. Exposure response prevention (ERP), a form of behavioural therapy , has been found particularly helpful for individuals struggling specifically with compulsive behaviours such exposure will initially increase anxiety levels however it is often successful in reducing levels after several sessions when facing feared objects head on, whilst actively engaging in supportive self talk aimed at controlling physiological arousal during response prevention stages level out allowing clients more freedom from compulsion inducing anxiety.

Supportive self talk used during ERP should focus upon reinforcement methods based upon positive contributions made towards maintaining healthy change , so rather than focusing sometimes negative language i e ‘I must not think like this’ use encouraging phrases i e ” I have coped well today, I am taking small steps each day towards reducing my obsessional thinking". Setting realistic goals should also form part of intervention; trying too hard all at once often leads us back into compulsions so taking small bite size chunks allows us greater opportunity for progress.

Challenging catastrophic thinking can also help reduce ways our overwhelming anxious responding overtakes rational responses - will this really happen? What's worse case scenario? How likely is it that worse case scenario will actually materialise? Second guessing your own cognitive processes around how much choice we actually have over situations et al plays an important role within helping yourself gain perspective regarding how debilitating our own interpretations became Social support networks should plays a key roll; creating safe spaces where people feel respected accepted provides vital components within recovery process ensuring mental health requirements remain consistent alongside other areas life continue ongoing healthy psychological growth...