How to Deal With an Obsessive Mental Preoccupation

Is there something you can't stop thinking about? Does it start to get under your skin? Regardless of what it may be, following these steps will help you deal with thinking obsessively about something.

Steps

1. Seek professional help. The safest and easiest way to get rid of an obsession is to talk about it with a psychologist or counselor. Don't be ashamed to go to one; it doesn't mean you're insane, you just have a problem you need help with; it's something perfectly normal. The counselor will understand what's actually going on with you, go to the bottom of it and give you some good advice on how to get through it. It's a process of self-discovering and self-understanding.
   
2. Do something that doesn't require thinking. Doodle, play Solitaire, listen to music, dance- your mind will focus on these little things and you'll stop thinking about your obsession.
   
3. Understand why is this so important to you that you can't stop thinking about it. If it's really something that matters, pay as much attention to it as needed; for example, if you're worried about an exam and do nothing but study and stress over it, don't stop studying; just don't pay more attention to it than you'd need- especially when talking about an exam, relaxation is as important as studying. If it's an irrational, harmful obsession, like hatred for something/somebody, it's crucial that you solve your issues before it takes over your life. Understand that you are the one whom it harms in the first place; not other people.
   
   • If your obsessive thoughts are feelings of guilt, do something that eases this burden. Apologize to the person you've mistaken to, confess to a priest if you are Orthodox or Catholic, go to the person's tomb if they're no longer alive, or do something good to compensate the bad thing you've done (for example, volunteering or donating money for charity).
     
   
   
4. Be more relaxed and optimistic. Nothing on this world deserves getting all of your attention, no matter how important it may be. Things often work out by themselves; you don't need to be so stressed about them. Especially if your constant worry is about something that's not up to you, for example a family member's disease or world peace, there's no need to worry about it so much.
   
5. Talk to someone that knows you well and you're close to. Sometimes a friend or a family member understands you better than a psychologist, simply because they know you so well.
   
6. Improve something about yourself. Find a reason to be confident. People who are OK with themselves don't have such issues. Try learning to do something you've always wanted to know; for example, studying a foreign language or taking drawing lessons.
   
7. Illustrate what you feel. Now that we're talking about drawing, it's a good way to express your feelings without saying a word; just draw whatever crosses your head. It doesn't matter if you're good at it; just doing it is helpful enough.
   
8. Keep a diary. Writing dow how you feel is also a healthy method to express an emotion. It's also important in keeping track of your thoughts. Whenever you have a day when you haven't thought about that something so much, note this in your diary. It reminds you that you can defeat your obsession.
   

Warnings

• Don't despair. No matter how difficult it may be, committing suicide must never be an option. Life is wonderful; just because some thoughts hunt you, you shouldn't kill yourself. Problems find their solution, but nobody can get you back among the living if you kill yourself.
  

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