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Do you want free mental health help? What about remote, pay-what-you-want counselling? Visit askingjude.org.
Do you want free mental health help? What about remote, pay-what-you-want counselling? Visit askingjude.org.
Do you want free mental health help? What about remote, pay-what-you-want counselling? Visit askingjude.org.
How do you stop having intrusive thoughts?
Ask A Question Here
Hey there,
Almost everyone has intrusive thoughts once and a while, so don’t blame yourself for having them. They can come out of nowhere and cause distress for individuals even though they often don’t have any particular meaning. The brain is an active organism that concocts limitless scenarios, thoughts, and desires. As long as you have no intention to act on your intrusive thoughts, and you can easily move on with your day, there’s rarely a cause for alarm.
Some casual tips to push aside unwanted thoughts include:
Consider taking some time from your day to meditate. Mindfulness meditation is all about calmly observing your thoughts and not judging them. This way of coping can give you the chance to accept that these thoughts exist and begin changing your relationship with them.
Remind yourself that every thought that we have is fleeting. Intrusive thoughts might seem like they’ll never go away, but there’s no such thing as a permanent state of mind. Adopt the mantra of ‘this too shall pass,’ and before you know it, it does.
Find ways to externalize your thoughts. Write them down in a journal as you typically think of them but then change or add to them in ways that make them less intrusive. Create your own happy ending.
Find small ways to preoccupy your mind. Go for a walk and count your steps. Read a book. Listen to music or a podcast. Cook up a complicated recipe. Reorganize your room.
Below I have some resources that have more ideas and information for you that might be helpful:
If you experience intrusive thoughts, you’re not alone. Coping strategies are available to help you create distance between you and the thou
This page discusses intrusive thoughts and what they are. It covers how to identify them and how to know when you need to consider getting h
However, if these intrusive thoughts are severe and happen often, this might be cause for concern. We don’t want them interrupting the quality of your daily life. I would suggest speaking with a doctor or therapist about what sort of thoughts you’re having, how often they occur, and how they make you feel. In some instances, medication may be the preferred method to help you. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from seeking out traditional therapy, consider using Asking Jude's newest peer counseling services that are live, fully remote, and at a pay-what-you-can rate. For more information, contact us at [email protected].
And if these thoughts are in any way related to hurting yourself or others, reach out immediately to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call the hotline at 1-800-273-8255. They have the resources to aid you in the appropriate next steps
I hope this helps,
xx Selena
Do you want free, remote mental health support? Reach out to us at askingjude.org today.
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hi, i came across this post of yours while i was searching for some MH advice: asking-jude(.)tumblr(.)com/post/695308102340345856/my-best-friend-has-picked-up-a-habit-of-venting-to and i understand it but it also left me feeling sad and confused. i live in the uk where accessing a therapist means having to sometimes wait up to 2 years to see one and on top of that i don't have family and only one friend. so who am i supposed to go to about my MH? am i supposed to just bottle it all up?
Not at all! I completely understand where you're coming from, and you have every right to feel the way you do. The state of healthcare in many parts of the world isn't what it should be. As someone who lives in Canada, I completely understand having to wait an obscene amount of time just to see a mental healthcare professional. In essence, what you're saying is true--it's simply not fair!
That's why Asking Jude created a pay-what-you-can, remote peer counselling service. This is a cheaper, more convenient alternative to the traditional therapy route. You can not only pick your method of communication (e.g., video/audio calling or text messaging), you can also donate as much or as little as you want. Whether it be $1 or $100 a month, we will never turn away someone who needs help.
Our clients are matched with a trained peer counsellor and usually meet for an hour every two weeks to discuss their concerns and work through their problems. Like you said, we don't want anyone bottling things up! That being said, you can meet more or less depending on what your needs are. You can also rest assured that our peer counsellors never handle more than one or two clients at a time, so you'll be getting the personalized attention you need.
With this, you'll be getting the help you deserve and donating to an important cause. If this is something that interests, you can e-mail us at [email protected], and we can get you started as soon as possible.
I hope this helps! Until then, stay strong.
Paige "Jude" Gilmar
Hey!
I don’t know if this is okay to ask you or not, but any advice on how to stop being so socially awkward? I feel like I can’t be myself around some people but I can around others.
Ask A Question Here
Hello! We're happy you reached out!
So many of us have experienced awkward moments where we don’t understand a particular social situation and do something embarrassing. It might seem silly to some, but for others, it can have a big impact on how we interact with people in the future. Humans are meant to be social, but that's easier said than done when we feel fine around some groups of people but awkward around others. This typically occurs around those we're unfamiliar with or have little in common with. So don't be surprised that you feel this way! Even super outgoing people have a preference for who they would like to be social around.
There's no quick fix to being shy or awkward, but there are plenty of tips and helpful tidbits that might get you out of your shell! Here is what I would recommend:
Remember that the people around you aren't thinking about you - at least not as much as you assume. Insecurities and troubling thoughts want to make us believe that everyone is watching and judging us. But are you doing the same to everyone you meet? I bet not. We are the main character in our story, but not everyone else's. They have their own worries in life to dwell on that they have little time to fixate on you. There is a high chance that the people you think you’re awkward around think they're awkward instead. It's a vicious cycle. But all it takes is one funny comment or random ice breaker to get the ball of conversation rolling. Don't be afraid to plan out topics of conversation that you find interesting enough to talk about thoroughly. We get more comfortable when we do or talk about something we're knowledgeable about because the risk of looking goofy is low. You're an expert in something - don't be afraid to utilize it. Have an 'I got this' attitude. Manifestation might sound silly, but the more you tell yourself that you can be around others in social settings without a problem, the more likely that you'll find yourself there. You can be your own cheerleader! When in doubt, let the others do all the talking. Ask questions that keep the focus away from you. This doesn’t necessarily help you work on your social skills, but it does allow you time to figure out how you’d like to engage. This approach is also the best way to get to know who you’re talking to, what they like, and if you have anything in common.
Below I have linked some articles and videos that expand on these ideas:
https://www.healthline.com/health/socially-awkward#signs
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-stop-being-socially-awkward-2015-12#focus-on-the-other-person-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jErjN6OzC4E
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/dealing-with-loneliness-and-shyness.htm
It’s a great idea to try new things that can expand your social horizons, but no one is going to expect you to turn into someone you’re not. Everyone is different, so being a little ‘socially awkward’ isn’t a bad thing. Psychologist Ty Tashiro wrote in his book, Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome, that, “although awkward people are missing important social information that falls outside of their narrow aperture, what they do see is brilliantly illuminated and this gives them a deep, nuanced perspective about things that no one else takes the time to notice.” I think this puts into perspective that while some of us aren’t going to be the center of attention at a party, there are still qualities we can bring to the table that have value--albeit in a more timid fashion.
Try these tips out and see what happens! You got this, I know you do!
xx Selena
Do you want free, remote mental health support? Reach out to us at askingjude.org today.
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