How do i know for what thoughts I should use non engagement and for what thoughts I should just label it and how do I know to which thoughts I should just let go?
I just let them all go u less I’m needing to do critical thinking skills or brainstorm for work or a social event. It’s easier to do that than worry or fixate on which is which. And that can become a compulsion.
Non-engagement involves actively ignoring or not giving power to intrusive or distressing thoughts. You can practice this technique when you notice unhelpful or negative thoughts that you don't want to dwell on. Instead of engaging with these thoughts, try to redirect your attention to something positive or meaningful. Labeling involves acknowledging and accepting thoughts without judgment. This technique can be useful when you want to observe your thoughts without getting caught up in them. By labeling your thoughts as just thoughts, you create some distance and reduce their emotional impact. You can say to yourself, "I'm having the thought that..." or "I notice that I'm feeling..." Letting go involves recognizing that some thoughts are beyond your control and choosing not to attach significance to them. You can practice letting go when you encounter thoughts that are unproductive or unrealistic. Instead of trying to fight or change these thoughts, allow them to pass through your mind without getting caught up in them.
Everyone is different but I really struggle with labeling because my mind then kicks into argument mode and it’s harder to stop that compulsion to win the argument. Non engagement is my go to for that reason. I don’t know if that’s right or wrong but just my experience.
I’ve noticed that I’m somewhat happier also ignoring my thoughts than I am instead of doing compulsions (I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired atp) but I’ve heard you’re technically supposed to do erp rather than pushing under the rug. But idk if I have a thought I just refuse to think about it again and im fine even if I want to do compulsions
I struggle so bad with intrusive thoughts. They can be so bad that I'll cry because I KNOW that's not how I feel or want to do. (Too embarrassed to say what they're about) I'll constantly try to figure out why I have them, and constantly figure out what they mean, causing me to constantly circle around and around. I had to get on anxeity meds, which helped a little but the thoughts still happen. How do you help yourself with this? How do you know that you're just not some physcopath? 😅
How do I stop letting my intrusive thoughts control me? Ive been having them for almost a year, once I graduated, become more isolated and lost more friends they've become worse. I feel like when I had friends and was still going to school they weren't as bad probably because I was living more so I didn't take them as seriously. But now that Im home all day and alone they've gotten worse and it feels like they're starting to control my life. Theres times where Im on social media and eventually I forget about them but then when I realize I forgot about them they come back. Sometimes the thought just lingers it doesn't even just pop in my head and go away. I can't tell anyone in my family because they'd judge me for the thoughts and they don't really believe in mental illnesses. I also sometimes think of what other people may think of me if they knew the thoughts I had and it makes it worse. How do I stop letting these thoughts control/trigger me and stop reacting or feeling some type of way about them.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
