Entanglement in thoughts

I wanted to share some highlights about getting entangled in thoughts, which most of us OCD sufferers get caught into doing it.

Usually I read some paragraphs in a book.

These are the following paragraphs:

Entanglement with a thought means that you have created an inner dialogue about the aggressive, sexual, nonsensical, or otherwise bewildering content running through your mind. You are judging it, arguing with it, or trying to reassure yourself about it. Or, you are trying to figure out some way to become less annoyed or less irritated by the intrusive nature of certain sounds, bodily feelings, or other intrusions. You become focused on the thought or sensation and your attempts to rationalize it, explain and understand its meaning, or just put it out of your mind.

Entanglement can happen in a variety of ways, but most often, answering back or arguing with an intrusion is what keeps it going. Getting involved and entangled with unwanted intrusive thoughts makes them stronger and more insistent.

As we have shown, the thought and the resultant whoosh of distress is automatic, which is what we call the first fear. This lies outside of your control. But remember: you have the capacity either to increase that fear into second fear or to leave it alone. Leaving it alone allows your natural calming process to take over.

Leaving these thoughts alone is a way to avoid entanglement. Anything you do at this point that involves effort tends to push first fear into second fear.

Accept and allow the thoughts in your mind. Do not try to push them away.

Accept and allow means that you are actively allowing the thoughts to be there, not wishing they were gone, because this attitude helps you grasp that the thoughts are unimportant. They do not require any attention or response.

When you allow thoughts to be there, you are no longer struggling. The thoughts lose their power.

Winston, Sally M.. Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts (p. 95, 96, 117, 118,120). New Harbinger Publications. Kindle Edition.

[Gimi44]

Thanks for sharing!!! I love the paragraphs you've included. Would you recommend it for someone like me, with health OCD?

[Hidden in reply to Gimi44]

I would recommend it for health OCD.

I think these techniques apply to any forms of OCD.

I know we all suffer from different types of obsessions and compulsions.

I hope this helps, and you feel better.

[Gimi44 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks!!

[LuvSun]

Thanks for sharing

[TheGeneral]

Very helpful! I have been working on this; this excerpt helps confirm I am on the right track. Allowing the thoughts is bothersome but I am more able to realize that doing so works better in the long run. Thanks again!

[Jklv]

Wow, thanks for sharing this information. It helped me understand the process so many people have been talking about.