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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 18:41:17
Anybody else repeat a thought/mantra in their head over and over again to deal with depression or anxiety? Another way of putting it would be, does anybody tell themselves to do something over and over again in their head? Mine is, "love yourself as another." Helps quite a bit. (I say it over, and over, and over, and over again in my head until it becomes kind of background)
Just wondering if anybody else does this.
Posted by Squiggles on August 4, 2007, at 21:20:16
In reply to repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 18:41:17
> Just wondering if anybody else does this.
>
Sometimes, if i'm washing the dishes or doing
something mindless. In the past it was usually
a tune that was catchy; at this point in my life
it's "M*therfucker".Squiggles
Posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 22:01:16
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra » nickguy, posted by Squiggles on August 4, 2007, at 21:20:16
>
> > Just wondering if anybody else does this.
> >
> Sometimes, if i'm washing the dishes or doing
> something mindless. In the past it was usually
> a tune that was catchy; at this point in my life
> it's "M*therfucker".
>
> Squiggles
>
I meant something that helps improve mood or reduce anxiety. Something you repeat when you feel really bad
Posted by pegasus on August 4, 2007, at 22:44:53
In reply to repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 18:41:17
I say to myself, "You're ok. You're doing great. You're going to be fine." Over and over. I've always wondered whether that really helped me in any way. But when I'm really anxious, I just do it without thinking anyway. Must be some internalized good message from my parents (who also implanted plenty of bad messages, but where else would this be coming from?).
Posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2007, at 23:06:39
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by pegasus on August 4, 2007, at 22:44:53
When I could run always a mantra a piece of a song it worked well positive this to do. Love Phillipa
Posted by nickguy on August 5, 2007, at 12:17:09
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2007, at 23:06:39
Mine only works if i repeat it constantly in my head. The first thought in the morning, helping me get out of bed.
Posted by nickguy on August 5, 2007, at 22:58:46
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 5, 2007, at 12:17:09
Anybody think it could be harmful, repeating something in your head at every moment, even though it improves my mood and helps me function? (harmful in the sense that its a defense mechanism, or keeping me from long term thought restructring?)
Posted by ConfuzyQ on August 6, 2007, at 11:30:19
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 5, 2007, at 22:58:46
> Anybody think it could be harmful, repeating something in your head at every moment, even though it improves my mood and helps me function? (harmful in the sense that its a defense mechanism, or keeping me from long term thought restructring?)
I wouldn't think so, because it almost seems like it would serve some of the same purposes as meditation. (Well, not that I know anything about that... But I've assumed that it actually isn't about focusing on particulars or consciously forming plans for change and improvement; that those may follow naturally from the increased relaxation, positivity, receptiveness...)
My mantra is so cliche that if I said "Guess?" I bet it would be in most people's top 3 attempts: "This too shall pass." Which often leads nicely into: "What a difference a day makes." So mundane, but so true!
Not quite a mantra, but sometimes I also have whole days where I am able to catch myself at the last words or syllables of negative thoughts and expressions, and turn their frowns upside down, ala "!!This is SOOO fff...ABULOUS of an opportunity to handle things differently this time/ get this over with at last," etc. :)
Posted by Poet on August 6, 2007, at 19:08:59
In reply to repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 18:41:17
Hi Nickguy,
I have an anxiety/eating disorder mantra "Bingeing will not make my anxiety go away." For depression it's something I heard on Oprah: "I am available to more good than I have ever experienced, realized or imagined before." It's long, but so is the negative thought train that runs through my head. Anything to help cut the negative thoughts in my book is a positive things. My T thinks it's wonderful that I am trying to slow down the negative thought train with positive thoughts. So she's definitely pro-mantra.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2007, at 20:02:18
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra » nickguy, posted by Poet on August 6, 2007, at 19:08:59
Aren't mantra's Buddist in origin? And used in yoga? Love Phillipa
Posted by nickguy on August 6, 2007, at 23:32:50
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2007, at 20:02:18
> Aren't mantra's Buddist in origin? And used in yoga? Love Phillipa
yes.
Posted by Squiggles on August 7, 2007, at 7:23:58
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 6, 2007, at 23:32:50
My mantra has changed: "Don't jump to conclusions." I think i hurt people when i
do that. :-(Squiggles
Posted by nickguy on August 7, 2007, at 23:13:36
In reply to Re: repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra » nickguy, posted by Squiggles on August 7, 2007, at 7:23:58
anybody "tell" themselves to do something. Mine is "love yourself as another". Seems to help. Don't know what the f*ck is wrong with me.
Posted by peddidle on August 8, 2007, at 12:58:37
In reply to repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 18:41:17
"One thing at a time." I mostly say it to myself during the school-year when I have 10000 papers to write and 10000 pages to read. I never really thought of it as a mantra, but I guess it is. I don't know how much it really works, or even why I started saying it, but I guess it's helpful in the sense that I use it to try to calm myself down (or motivate myself) when I'm freaking out about (or procrastinating because of) everything I need to do.
Posted by Guy on August 10, 2007, at 15:01:34
In reply to repeating a thought/idea/ or mantra, posted by nickguy on August 4, 2007, at 18:41:17
My main problems are anxiety and panic, so when the monster rears its ugly head I repeat "panic or relax." This sends a message to my inner child that it is me scaring myself, and that I do in fact have a choice as to which direction I will go. This works for me sometimes...other times the monster comes and gets me anyway. (lol!) It's something I have to keep working on. The key, I think, is to train the "self" to understand that there is an alternative to panic. Once the idea of "choice" is firmly instilled, old, self-destructive habits can start to be brought under control. I'd love to hear if anyone has any suggestions as to how to break firmly entrenched thought patterns and emotional responses.
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