Does anyone have any mantras they repeat when they have an intrusive thought? I need some new ones

“Ok next thought” “That’s interesting” “That’s your OCD” I personally think it’s OK to label it as OCD because sometimes it takes a while to even realize it is OCD. So when I label it as OCD the attachment/fear detaches in a way.

Repeating things as a response tends to be a compulsion. Labeling is fine as long as it’s just labeling (not compulsive repetition.) If you’d like to label, one technique I use is to label what I want to do and say I won’t do it. Example: “I want to check if that urge was real by comparing it to X, but I’m not going to.” Or “I want to figure out why I just felt that and what it means, but I won’t.” And then sit with the anxiety and move on.

i used to use mantras and repeat them in my head all the time. i didn’t realize it, but i was using it as a distraction from my intrusive thoughts. i was avoiding them. i saw that the thought was there but i turned the other direction and repeated those thoughts over and over until it just went away. it was avoidance and suppression; both are types of compulsions. now, i notice the thought and say hey to it. i know it’s there but i’m just going to keep going with whatever i’m doing. whenever i get an intrusive thought i do this little thing that i find super helpful. 1. I identify and recognize the thought. “i’m scared that ____.” or “i’m worried that _____”. but then say “ok, the thought is there. it’s all fine. i’m ok. i’m just gonna let it be there. it’s WELCOME in my head”. 2. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and try to restart. i ask myself “where are you? what are you doing right now?” and whatever i was doing, i’m just going to go back to it even though this thought is lingering in my head. i know how hard it is to get a thought, be sucked into it, and not be able to refocus your attention on what’s in front of you. i know how hard it is to continue with what you’re doing when there’s this blaring alarm going through your brain. that little ritual helps me a lot through that issue though, and i hope it helps you too!!

Thank you everyone!! This means a lot to me :)

I normally use “ a thought is just a thought” but my therapist advised me to be careful because this can become a mental compulsion :/ it helps though

“Believe the lies and be sad, or believe the truth and be happy!”

These are just thoughts, they are fading away

I have a few. That’s OCD, not me. There goes the OCD lies again. That’s a garbage thought. So I’ll move on. And them some get vulgar like: Same ole OCD bullshit! And a lot worse. What ever you choose, don’t give the OCD thought anything and do your best to let it be. Then move on and redirect your thoughts to what you want.