Useful methods of distraction?

Hello,

I have a problem with obsessively looking for reassurance from people I become attached too.

Obviously this causes problems for me and them.

I really want to try hard to overcome this problem, and more specifically my current obsessive behaviour of repeatedly emailing a mental health professional who works with me.

I find that the more things I have going on e.g. going to the gym, appointments in town, going round to a friend's house (i.e. distractions in general) the less I need to engage in obsessive emailing.

However, there are times when I have no such activities available and revert back to anxious emailing.

Does anyone have any ideas of useful things I can do to distract myself from this?

I do find playing games quite good... some solo activities though, e.g. colouring in or listening to music just make me engage more with my obsessive thoughts and worries

Parents Reply
  • Hi TenaciousD, thank you, it's very helpful for me to talk about as it's something I've had to keep hidden for so long (my obsessive tendencies towards reassurance). I do indeed have attachment problems, and the mental health professional in question knows about this... she said it's an anxious attachment style. I was so sad that I can no longer have appointments with her. I've always been allowed to email her so I've just continued doing this despite the appointments ending and although she tries to reply with helpful responses she says she won't give me any advice at the moment because she thinks doing so would make it harder for me to stop emailing her. The aim is that I stop emailing her completely!

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