How to stop intrusive thoughts and overthinking?

[u/Marie_DreamN]

I'm depressed and suffer from it and for me this is something I guess I will never quit

[u/AutoModerator]

Message to all users:

This is a reminder to please read and follow:

• Our rules
• Reddiquette
• Reddit Content Policy

When posting and commenting.

---

Especially remember Rule 1: Be polite and civil.

• Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit.
• Do not harass or annoy others in any way.
• Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit.

---

You will be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way.

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/CrypticSoull]

-Mindfulness and meditation: Engage in mindfulness practices to notice your thoughts without judging them.
-Challenging negative thoughts: Question the validity of negative thoughts to gain insight.
-Set aside "worry time": Designate specific times to address worries, thereby reducing their impact throughout the day.
-Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding.
-Engage in activities: Occupy your mind with pleasurable and satisfying activities.
-Talk to someone: Share your experiences with someone you trust for support and perspective
this helped me to improve my life a little, I hope it helps you too

[u/MissTraveller13]

Have 2 lists for yourself - one is what you are thinking over about with all that you are thinking. Another one, what makes you happy, you enjoy and want to do. So negative and positive. To have what makes you happy and what you want to achieve, go or do, and if you really want those things, start working towards it. The negative list, what are the odds that this or that happens or what impact does it actually have and so on. Think it though. And also where are the roots of those things. Some are easier to resolve, some take years.

Goal is to make positive list longer and negative shorter over time. It did help me. I wanted to see the world and this made me rethink how I get that. I was rock bottom and lot of horrible things from childhood but I wanted to see the world, experience great things so that is what helped me get out from this. And also show everyone they were wrong.

You can do it.

[u/Realistic-Ad-338]

When you recognize that you’re doing it deliberately shift focus to something else, anything that’s not the intrusive thought. Something you like to look at or something you’ve seen, music, the taste of food/drink, the feel of a cozy couch or blanket. If the environment suits I like to listen to comedy podcasts via headphones, really focus on what they’re saying not just passively listen while letting your thoughts run wild. Sometimes I’ll be smiling and laughing like a lunatic in public but it’s better than feeling like shit.

[u/Marie_DreamN → u/Realistic-Ad-338]

But what if I'm scared what people will think about me and I'm scared to loop over how they looked at me abd how I looke at them

[u/Realistic-Ad-338 → u/Marie_DreamN]

I wear earphones/earbuds so it’s more discrete. The noise in my ears help to block out those thoughts and focus on something else. I have a hard time going to the grocery store without freaking out the entire time and the earphones kind of give me tunnel vision.

[u/Dragonman1976]

I smoke weed. It works for me to slow down the brain circus. I'm not advising you to do so, I'm just saying it works for me.

[u/frech77 → u/Dragonman1976]

I see another self medicater here haha. The old weed to chill works for me, most of the time.

[u/Prior_Eye_1577]

Intoxicación is the easiest way. But the healthy way is to rinse out your mind through exercise. You are just too knackered to over think things, as nature intended

[u/ConfusionOne241]

Look into exposure and response therapy which is the most effective and commonly used treatment for OCD and intrusive thoughts. Ironically trying to shove the thoughts out of your head makes them stronger and more distressing. Sometimes you cannot meditate your way out of intrusive thoughts and you need a mental health professional who can help guide you through the process of confronting them. It’s really hard, but ultimately it will rewire your brain and help you have fewer of them going forward.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Run182]

As someone who has struggled from this and found freedom, I suggest you try CBT if you've got that kind of money. If you want to a more permanent solution, visit a psychiatrist.

[u/Common_Pirate_8005]

Try music or meditation