Managing your OCD, Fearful and Obsessive Thoughts

By Stan Popovich

There are times that we encounter fearful thoughts that can be difficult to manage. For some people, the more they try to get rid of the thoughts, the stronger the thoughts become and the more difficult they become to manage. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their fearful and obsessive thoughts and anxieties.

The first thing a person must do is not to dwell or focus on the fear provoking thought when it comes. The more a person tries to reason out the thought or focus on the fear behind the thought, the stronger the thought becomes. The next time you encounter an obsessive thought, get into the practice of not dwelling on it.

From my interviews with various psychologists, I was told that a person should visualize a red stop sign in their mind when they encounter a fear provoking thought. When the negative thought comes, a person should think of a red stop sign which serves as a reminder to stop focusing on that thought and to think of something else. A person can then try to think of something positive to replace the negative thought.

A person should keep a small notebook of positive statements that makes them feel good. Whenever they come across a positive and uplifting verse that makes them feel good, write it down in a small notebook. A person can then carry this notebook around in their pocket and whenever they feel anxious, they can read their notebook.

A person should also ask God for help and also read the Bible. By reading the Bible, a person can read Scripture to get rid of his or her negative thoughts. Reading Scripture can be a great way to get to know who God is and to gain a positive aspect on life.

Although I am a Layman and not a professional, I have interviewed many counselors and I learned that there are many ways to deal with these kinds of thoughts. From my interviews, I've learned that usually it is the fear behind the thought that gets us worked up. When dealing with fearful and obsessive thoughts, do not dwell on the thought.

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Biography: Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" -- an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: visit the author's website.

For more articles on managing fear please visit the author's book website.