My depressive voice loves to harangue me: “You mess up everything. You’re ugly. You’re slow. You’re fat. You’ll never finish work today. You’re cutting all the corners.” My therapist said to do thought stopping. I thought we weren’t supposed to thought stop?? He tried to explain it to me, but I’m confused. PS— I’m grateful for this app. It keeps my angst off FB, which wasn’t a good home for it.

Carl Cornett

Date posted: 4y

I’d be hesitant to contradict what your therapist is recommending. But it’s generally understood that thought stopping, at least with OCD, is detrimental.

Meof3

Date posted: 4y

My previous therapist told me to try to stop my thoughts by screaming "Stop" or hurt myself with a rubber band. That strategy definitely worsened my OCD. Is it possible for you to have second opinion from a trained OCD specialist?

Alyosha

Date posted: 4y

Thanks, guys! These thoughts are the depression speaking. Not OCD. There is no uncertainty or fear to this voice. I was wondering if “thought stopping” was somehow appropriate for depression even if it isn’t for OCD. Maybe he just means not to ruminate on the thoughts. Y’all are scaring me a little, though lol. I don’t want to think my therapist doesn’t know what he’s talking about 😂. I have tried SO many and I actually like and trust this guy. Finding a therapist feels like dating. Eventually, you’re tired of it and think, “Look, I’m gonna make it work with this one, or I’m just gonna stay single.”

catattak

Date posted: 4y

Lmao I have no help but your dating analogy made me straight up laugh out loud haha

Meof3

Date posted: 4y

I am having my first meeting with nocd therapist next Tuesday. I hope we LL have good "chemistry" otherwise I don't think therapy will be as effective.

Alyosha

Date posted: 4y

Thanks, Cat 😂 Sunflower—yes, rapport is helpful. I hope y’all are a good match!

Meof3

Date posted: 4y

I am sorry that you are struggling with depression too. That's tough. You seem to work hard to improve your mental health and that's awesome.

Meof3

Date posted: 4y

@Sunflower 1234 I am sorry that depression is giving you negative thoughts about yourself. You truly seem like a wonderful person. It is so sad that depression makes you doubt yourself. Don't believe the lies. We all can be so hard on ourselves.

Alyosha

Date posted: 4y

@Sunflower 1234 Thank you! ❤️ It’s a battle, for sure. But I also enjoy a little of good moments. Had dinner with a friend tonight and spent time playing with her little kids.

Alyosha

Date posted: 4y

@Alyosha *a lot of

Meof3

Date posted: 4y

@Alyosha Yay! Joy in little moments. That's a good perspective. I need to see the good things in my life too. I truly have so many things to be thankful for but OCD clouds my judgement sometimes and makes me think I have nothing.

catattak

Date posted: 4y

Have you tried CBT before? This outside of thought stopping. Rather it challenges you to look at th thoughts deeper I use an app called thought journal for my negative self thoughts. I don't think I know how to apply it to ocd fearful or obsessive thinking. But when I used to tell myself mean things a out myself, confronting the thoughts head on with CBT was helpful

Alyosha

Date posted: 4y

Thanks for sharing! Yes. I am in it still, I guess. I’m not skilled at it yet, obviously. Thanks for the app suggestion! I have wondered if it might be helpful to keep track of when those thoughts occur, etc.

Estrid

Date posted: 4y

It depends on what he means by stopping the thoughts. But it doesnt sound so good. We aren't supposed to stop the thoughts, we learn to accept them as thoughts without trying to solve them, buy into them, or argye with them. Mindfulness is a great tool to just let them pass.

Estrid

Date posted: 4y

You can just answer the thoughts "ok, maybe, maybe not"...and then move on.

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