Bad Problem (if your a therapist of any kind please answer this)?

Question

Im going through this stage i keep thinking "what if". and my mom ate a sub and i thought what if it was poisoned. I get so scared i feel like im gonna puke. how can i stop myself?

Answer 1

Don't dwell on negative thoughts.. think of something you love.

Your dog, ice cream anything positive, practice doing this. It takes effort to think in a POSITIVE WAY. When something bad comes into your thoughts Immediately replace it with a good one!

Answer 2

i do that aaaall the time and it makes me feel the same why and its like 'why do i always think of these bad things' and it gets me really down, i'd love to get an answer to this question!

i always say to my family 'yeah but what if ....' and they just reply with yeah but that wil never happen and i say but what if it did and they say it won't!.

it really frustrates me, your not alone.

Answer 3

My therapist might suggest something like this:

When you get a thought like that, immediately, consciously, change it into something positive, and focus on that. Continue this approach until it works easily, transplanting a positive thought for the negative one. Your emotions will change as the mental drama shifts.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

OK, who do think would want to poison your moth and why?  Do you have a sub conscience  desire for the death of your mother?  I believe it crucial for you to seek psychological intervention.  Honesty is not the enemy.

Answer 5

Thumbs up to Katy, she nailed how to solve the problem.

Remember all those wonderful cartoons of characters (Tom and Jerry) who continously bombard each other with violence and what not without any apparent lasting effect upon the other.  Our minds absorbed this info for several years, and these thoughts are the result, because seeing all that made us wonder what would really happen?  What if...

Answer 6

I know how you feel I have the same problem. Im a new mom and and I what if this and what if that all the time. It feels as if you are living in a real nightmare all the time. Especially after watching those final destination movies I feel I have to avoid certain things or do a quick run by over areas because I feel like any moment a freak accident will happen, yet I still torture my mind by watching movies that influence those kinds of thoughts

Answer 7

I had the same problem when I  was younger. I used to be nervous all day and have a lot on my mind which made it difficult for me to focus on things like homework. But then i got to a point where I was like  "I don't care anymore"  . I guess I was just tired of worrying all the time and making my life unpleasant.  I realized that all those thoughts are completely useless and honestly by thinking about things that can happen wont change the situation.  I realized that my thoughts were often or in the past (bad experiences) or in the future ("what if... then... and then..."). But in the end it is much nicer if you can just live in the present and enjoy life.  My therapist adviced me to do 'mindfulness meditation'. Maybe you should read something about that on the internet.   good luck :)