Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts

By: Sally M. Winston and Martin N. Seif

If you have ever struggled with unwanted intrusive thoughts, thoughts such as: “what if I get into a terrible car accident?”, “I could just jump off of this building since there’s no guard rail”, or “maybe I did something illegal in the past and I just don’t fully remember”, you are not alone. Research shows that millions of people are often plagued by upsetting worries that they just can’t shake away or disturbing ideas or images that feel very opposite of their values and character. Many individuals find these thoughts frightening and become concerned that the thoughts could be messages or say something about them as a person. In the book Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts, the authors provide extensive education about what intrusive thoughts are and where they come from, helping the reader to understand this very important concept: thoughts are just thoughts, and they don’t have to mean anything at all.

The authors describe in great detail the neurobiology that leads our brains to become more stuck on unwanted thoughts and the common strategies to get rid of these thoughts that tend to backfire, resulting in those thoughts popping up more and more often. They also present and challenge several myths about our thoughts, helping to normalize thoughts that many people may feel too nervous to share with others. Finally, they present a simple, CBT-based approach to coping with these thoughts and bringing your focus and energy back to the things in life that you really value.

How to Get Help for intrusive thoughts – San Jose/Los Gatos and Sacramento/Roseville

The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center specializes in therapy and counseling with adults, children and teenagers. Click to send an email for more information on how we can help you or your family members improve your outlook.

Silicon Valley and Sacramento Valley Communities We Serve

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley offers evidence-based therapy for Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder near the following Silicon Valley/San Jose communities:

San Jose Therapy CounselingSaratoga Therapy CounselingLos Gatos Therapy Counseling Monte Sereno Therapy Counseling • Cupertino Therapy CounselingCampbell Therapy CounselingMountain View Therapy CounselingLos Altos Therapy CounselingSunnyvale Therapy CounselingSanta Clara Therapy Counseling

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Sacramento Valley offers evidence-based therapy for Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) near the following Sacramento Valley and Sierra communities:

Sacramento Therapy CounselingRoseville Therapy Counseling • Rocklin Therapy Counseling • Granite Bay Therapy Counseling • Lincoln Therapy CounselingFolsom Therapy Counseling • Citrus Heights Therapy Counseling •  El Dorado Hills Therapy Counseling • Loomis Therapy CounselingGrass Valley Therapy Counseling  • Auburn Therapy Counseling

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