Need Help with Intrusive Thoughts

intrusive and racing thoughts. im on medication for my own

I try and just watch friendly TikToks or watch some child friendly movies and child friendly tv series

A common problem that happens with intrusive thoughts is that the more you focus on them, the more they persist wether or not the focus is on making them go away. The best advice I can give is to just acknowledge the thought and just continue. Be like, "Huh? That was weird," and continue. The more you fixate on them, the more they will persist

Hi so I've had issues with intrusive thoughts before and it is rough. I'm sorry you're going through that ❤️ it's hard not to think of things when all you can do is think of not thinking them. What really helped me was exposure therapy followed by the ABC method I think it was. You pick a time and set a timer, and during that time, follow the thoughts down every rabbit hole. It's not fun at all, but it does two things. First, it creates a sense of control and helps to ease the anxiety that comes along with them. You are deciding when they are allowed to show up, and you are deciding when it's time to redirect. My therapist recommended a physical activity afterward or something artistic. Second, it trains your brain over time not to have such a big reaction when the thoughts do come. Every time you have an intrusive thought and it upsets you or makes you afraid, that reaction gets stronger. But if you set a time to have them and then reward yourself after, it desensitizes you to the emotional impact of it and trains your brain to react with more of a "at least we get ice cream after" than a "wtf do I do." Rather than a harbinger of destruction, try and treat the unwanted thoughts like a nosy neighbor saying hello. I hope you feel better soon ❤️

Remember your thoughts are just imagination. You are not your thoughts. Also you are not alone. We’ve all been there and you are strong