How I'm Rethinking My Negative (and Unhealthy) OCD Thinking

I've struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for, well, as long as I can remember. For me, OCD manifests itself as a compulsive need to outperform and overdo. It's not that I think I could ever be superior to others--quite the opposite. My OCD stems from nagging feelings of inferiority and failure. I compulsively set myself to impossible tasks at which I fail. In the self-fulfilling vicious circle which is OCD, my sense of failure is reinforced. To break the cycle, I'm changing how I think about myself. Here are some new ideas I'm learning.  How I'm Rethinking My Negative (and Unhealthy) OCD Thinking

Al Anon--What the Stinking Thinking of Addiction Looks Like

One mistake we make in health care is to separate emotional/mental health issues from physical health issues. Last time I checked my mind and spirit were housed in my body. Physical health affects mental health and vice versa. And behavior is an outward manifestation of inward processes (aka thoughts and feelings). To be truly healthy, we've got to get our thoughts, actions and feelings working together on the same page.

Addictive behavior is driven by distorted emotions stemming from unhealthy thoughts. In his recovery manual "Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception," Abraham J. Twerski says these thoughts are sometimes called "stinking thinking" (coined in Alcoholics Anonymous). Stinking thinking doesn't always go away just because an addict quits. Alanon says real recovery means identifying dysfunctional thoughts and replacing them with healthier ones. Here are some examples of sick things addicts tell themselves.
 What the Stinking Thinking of Addiction Looks Like 

Emotional Health, Relationship and Communication: Respond vs. React

Relationships and Communication: Responding Kindly is Healthier Than Reacting Angrily
We've all seen (or been in relationships) where one person gives most of the  positive while the other partner selfishly takes the positive but gives negative. However 'what goes around comes around' doesn't work. Here's why.
Read More

Emotional Health Help: Coping with 'Damsel in Distress' Syndrome

Emotional Health Help: Coping Strategies for Dealing with the Damsel in Distress
You can always spot the damsel in distress. She's wrings her hands imploring; but when you've taken pity, she casts an imperious, critical eye over what you've done and declares it 'not quite right'. Don't let this Needy Nora fool you.
Read More