Being a human being is a real trip, isn’t it?
Where did the instruction manual go?
If you ever find you have recurrent obsessions, like persistent ideas, thoughts, or impulses which are intrusive to your life and cause you marked anxiety and distress, you might have obsessions.
If you find yourself habitually expressing repetitive behaviors, like checking your doors or under the bed repeatedly without being able to stop without experiencing heightened stress and anxiety, you might have compulsions.
Can you stop them without mental distress?
If your thoughts and actions take over your life with a life of their own, then you might have obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Do you bear a wearying consciousness of yourself and your stresses everywhere you go?
There are two points to share here. One is to know that there are some self-help tools you can all do that are extremely effective.
The other point to remember is that while you can do many things to help yourself, there are times when you cannot simply “decide” not to have a chemical imbalance or other physical and/or mental condition which requires a medical physician or psychiatrist.
While your insane ego might like not to require you to take prescription drugs, it is sometimes exactly what is needed.
A human body or mind is no less a body or mind if it is in need of assistance in balancing you in mind, body and/or Spirit/Soul.
First, take a look at self-help tools that work. Be honest with yourself. No one can lie to yourself like you can when you do not want to address an issue you do not want to deal with.
Rule number one is to drop the negative self judgement. Realizing who you are and what makes you tick is truly a wonder-filled thing. When you stop denying things about you that are there, you can make great strides in any direction you choose.
That’s right. You get to choose.
Rationally you may understand that your obsessions and compulsions are not necessary, while at the same time, you may not be able to stop them. Telling yourself that you do have a choice is huge, because up until now, you may have understood yourself to be at the mercy of the situation.
Rule number two is to reprogram your mind. You need to reprogram the victim mentality, to a self-empowering mentality.
You may not like to think of yourself as “programmed.” But that is what has happened to you if you find yourself with dysfunctional habits. You have been “programmed” by your family, your environment and life situations, and by what you take in, like television shows, commercials, movies, not to mention fear-based religious institutions.
How free are you, really?
To get in control of yourself and become self-empowered, you need to choose a mantra, such as an I AM statement as if you are already recovered from this problem. For example, if you want to stop the addictive compulsion to always check under the bed, you can think, “I am relaxed and confident and no longer need to look under the bed,” or whatever the compulsion is.
Does this work the first time you think it?
No, it does not.
It is in repeating this new mantra, even if it is the opposite of how you are feeling at this moment and repeating this new behavior that re-trains the mind to think and the body to do something differently.
It takes 21 days to change a habit, any habit. New statements you think, and new behaviors you do will feel like you have two left feet at first. Expect that. It is part of the healing to step outside of your comfort zone. You need to remind yourself that this new, odd feeling is OK. You will get past it.
Mantras work by changing the vibrational message in the mind. Mantras need to be repreated often, like at least 3-10 times each hour, or as often as you remember to say them. Sticky notes everywhere you look are also a help, like on mirrors, walls, doors, tables, our cars, everywhere.
You need to go easy with yourself. Any progress you make is good progress to build upon. No beating yourself up. Be very loving and gentle.
You can stop fear and anxiety, worry and uneasiness from lurking around every corner. You are not alone. Know that everyone has something, some issue to work on. No one is perfect, so join the club.
What you think about, you bring about. Every time a dark or negative thought comes in, like, “This is stupid,” or “This won’t work,” tell yourself, “Yes, this DOES work,” which it absolutely does.
All of these self-help suggestions also work in tandem with your doctor’s helps as well. You can make your life anything you want, so make it beautiful.