Last week I had a big event that had been hanging over me for months. I was stressed about it and really fearful. So I spent a lot of time trying to challenge my negative thoughts about the outcome. That day, I sat down and wrote a wish list of all the best things that could happen and none of the worst things, like: "I'm happy and relaxed," and "It goes smoothly and the time flies by because I'm enjoying myself so much." I just didn't engage in the negative thinking. It worked and I had a very good day.

Maybe a similar exercise would help you. Ask yourself what the BEST case scenario would be for tomorrow. And list everything you can think of. Because you really don't know how tomorrow will be, so why not anticipate good things as much as bad things?

That's a good idea Judy, although it does require some practice, in my humble opinion. I also struggle with intrusive/obsessive thoughts and when I'm in the midst of one I can't pretty much concentrate on anything else.

However, I learnt very recently that if I mindfully engage in something, it doesn't matter what, the brain will shift away from the worry and pay more attention to whatever I'm doing because the amygdala is not activated when we busy ourselves. For instance, I've tried to watch videos mindfully, gently letting go of any thoughts not related to what I'm watching, and I'm surprised it really works. Mind you, it's difficult to keep focusing on the video in such a manner for its entire duration, but practice makes perfect. Next thing I'm going to practice with is knitting. Of course, the one thing that we all have available is our breath.

So Michiev, I do suggest you start doing mindful meditation to calm the mind. It's not an instant cure, but rather a way of life. It takes practice and perseverance, but we're so worth it!

Here is a link for breathing exercises. From the comments I've read people seem to like this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSIlM4ZePWM

I hope this helps :)

Hi Judy!
I was taught to handle those intrusive obsessive thoughts by thinking about doing something for someone else and then following through with my plan. That piece of wisdom was passed down to me from my grandmother who was born in 1891. Unbelievably it works, at least for me and my family. It doesn't even have to be a big thing, but the more complicated, the less time you have for those other thoughts. ~Jane

Jane, that's a brilliant idea.

Hello, I'm sorry to hear you're going through this.

I've had similar issues for years and have a few things that help.

One of the tools is to ask yourself - Is that true? It's from Byron Katie's book "Loving What Is" in which she suggests four questions you can ask yourself to find some balance.

Another good tool when you're visualizing all the horrible things that could happen is to turn it around. Visualize everything going great. Visualize it going amazingly well, incredibly well. Just keep turning it around and be consistent about it. Be aware of the way you are thinking and when you catastrophize, every single time, turn it around.

Another tool I use is to funny it up. So if I'm thinking about going out to dinner but I'm terrified. I'm OCDing my way into a crazy place and my anxiety is out of control. So I imagine the worst case scenario and find myself laughing about how ridiculous that is.

Generally when my anxiety reveals itself and I stare it dead in the eyes, the things it's trying to convince me will happen are pretty darned silly!

I like something my therapist suggested as well. When I have anxiety or OCD, I personify it as a little child with a big scary mask. The child is growling at me but really just trying to protect me from something she perceives as a threat - that's not really a threat.

Hope some of those ideas resonate for you and will work.