We’ve all been there. The same thoughts run through our minds. Over and over again. Oftentimes, these thoughts are without a warrant, yet we can’t seem to shake them.
Intrusive, obsessive, or compulsive thoughts can have major negative impacts on our health. They leave us feeling like we have no control over our own lives. These thoughts can also contribute to unwanted behaviors. While it is possible to learn to control your obsessive thoughts, it helps to have a better understanding of what they are.
What Are Obsessive Thoughts A Symptom Of?
Most commonly, repeated thoughts are a symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or, OCD. OCD is a disorder that has obsessive thoughts and fears. Take this as an example. Say a person has obsessive thoughts that they are unclean, or dirty. These thoughts will lead to an obsession(behavior) such as constantly washing their hands or using hand sanitizer. More than trying to stay safe, the fear(of feeling unclean) takes over their life and begins to control so much of it.
For people with obsessive thoughts, the behavior, such as washing hands, provides temporary relief from their anxiety and fear. However, it is a vicious cycle and the thought will just return.
Types of OCD
It is generally considered that there are four types of OCD:
- Washers – are afraid of being unclean, so will constantly obsess over their surroundings being clean or themselves.
- Checkers – they repeatedly check the same things over and over. Whether that is if the door was locked, or if the oven was turned off. They associate the checking with things that could prevent danger or harm.
- Doubters – are the ones who believe that everything needs to be perfect or else something bad could happen, or that they could be punished.
- Counters/Arrangers – they believe in order and symmetry. They may have superstitions about certain colors, numbers, or arrangements of items.
Learning To Control Your Thoughts
No matter what type of OCD you have, you may wonder if there is any hope to control them. To get control back of your life. Your behaviors. The great news is that there are ways you can learn to take control back over your mind.
Recognize The Obsessive Thoughts
The first step to controlling your thoughts is recognizing what they are. Often, we are so caught up in the cycle that these thoughts play that we don’t even think twice about them. Whether that is biting your nails when you are nervous or having to constantly check if the oven is turned off, you likely do these things without a second thought.
Acknowledging these thoughts is one of the first steps to stopping them. For instance, if you catch yourself biting your nails, you can tell yourself, “Stop!” It was a learned habit, so don’t get discouraged if you still find yourself with the urge. What is important about breaking the cycle of obsessive thought is by first recognizing them as they happen.
Accept Thoughts For What They Are
We don’t mean you have to just accept that you have obsessive thoughts. Rather, in order to stop the cycle of ruminating thoughts, you shouldn’t try to avoid or suppress them. Often, all this leads to is symptoms of OCD worsening over time. By ‘accepting’ your thoughts and recognizing them for what they are – just neurons firing off in your brain, you’ll begin to gain control over them.
Challenge these thoughts.
You can learn to take the control back by challenging the thoughts as they come. Once you have recognized the thoughts and accepted them, the next step is to counteract them. Instead of immediately giving into the thought, think, “If I don’t do this right now, what will really happen? What are the chances of A, B, or C, happening if I don’t do it?”
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OCD is largely considered to be another form of anxiety. When you have obsessive thoughts, it is challenging to feel in control over your own life. You are not alone in this struggle. Learning to overcome OCD and it’s symptoms is a struggle that causes many people to seek extra support. If you are in need of some extra help, please reach out to us.
