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Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

A CBT-Based Guide to Getting over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts

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Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

By: Sally M. Winston PsyD, Martin N. Seif PhD
Narrated by: Senn Annis
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About this listen

You are not your thoughts! In this powerful book, two anxiety experts offer proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills to help you get unstuck from disturbing thoughts, overcome the shame these thoughts can bring, and reduce your anxiety.

If you suffer from unwanted, intrusive, frightening, or even disturbing thoughts, you might worry about what these thoughts mean about you. Thoughts can seem like messages - are they trying to tell you something? But the truth is that they are just thoughts, and don’t necessarily mean anything. Sane and good people have them. If you are someone who is plagued by thoughts you don’t want - thoughts that scare you, or thoughts you can’t tell anyone about - this book may change your life.

In this compassionate guide, you’ll discover the different kinds of disturbing thoughts, myths that surround your thoughts, and how your brain has a tendency to get “stuck” in a cycle of unwanted rumination. You’ll also learn why common techniques to get rid of these thoughts can backfire. And finally, you’ll learn powerful cognitive behavioral skills to help you cope with and move beyond your thoughts, so you can focus on living the life you want. Your thoughts will still occur, but you will be better able to cope with them - without dread, guilt, or shame.

If you have unwanted thoughts, you should remember that you aren’t alone. In fact, there are millions of people just like you -good people who have awful thoughts, gentle people with violent thoughts, and sane people with “crazy” thoughts. This book will show you how to move past your thoughts so you can reclaim your life!

This book has been selected as an Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Book Recommendation - an honor bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools listeners can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

©2017 Sally M. Winston, PsyD and Martin N. Seif, PhD (P)2020 New Harbinger Publications Anxiety Disorders Compulsive Disorders Mental Health Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Health Obsessive Thoughts

Critic Reviews

“This important book is essential and mandatory reading for anyone affected by unwanted and intrusive thoughts, and their health providers. The authors crystallize decades of experience into a perfectly clear and readable guide. The solution to this misunderstood problem is in this book.” (Joseph A. Adams, MD, medical director at Baltimore Health Systems and Step By Step of Maryland, LLC, and past president at Smoke Free Maryland)

“I wish I would have had access to this book twenty years ago! Sally Winston and Martin Seif have put all the pieces of the puzzle together to help people understand and overcome unwanted intrusive thoughts. This is a must-read book, packed with information to help people suffering with anxiety-provoking intrusive thoughts, as well as clinicians who are trying to help them.” (Kimberly J. Morrow, LCSW, maintains a private practice in Erie, PA; specializes in the treatment of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); provides training and case consultation for clinicians through www.anxietytraining.com; and is author of Face It and Feel It)

“It turns out that commonsense approaches to stopping our worries, such as pushing thoughts away, arguing with them, or seeking reassurance, actually feed these worries and help them grow. Sally Winston and Martin Seif—two of the brightest minds in our field - deliver a simple yet powerful two-step process for change.” (Reid Wilson, PhD, author of Stopping the Noise in Your Head)
All stars
Most relevant  
Cannot recommend this book enough, i have been struggling with these thoughts for a month now and this is giving me hope! I don’t feel alone anymore and although I still have work to do I feel as if I will overcome these feelings of shame, anger and even depression.

Wow

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this book is a very good resource for insight and understanding of intrusive thoughts. recommend it highly.

very helpful insight

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Really helpful and knowledgeable book my therapist recommended. Worth the read or listen to those struggling with or know someone who is suffering from debilitating intrusive thoughts

Insightful

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Was recommended this book by my psychologist and just...wow. So worth the read and investment and has already helped me so much. It's an easy and entertaining listen and will completely change your perspective on your struggle with anxiety and intrusive thoughts for the better. Do yourself a favour and if you're on the fence just buy it and click play!

Incredibly eye-opening and helpful

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Very Helpful advise - Highly recommended!

Very helpful examples and strategies that work.

You won’t be disappointed.

Very Helpful

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These two excellent psychologists might have saved my life. Priceless advice for my situation. Thank you so much!

Extremely invaluable advice

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really helpful, examples rung so true..made me realise the key issue of how a thought gets stuck

very helpful

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I feel like this is for people with extreme and very weird feelings intrusive thoughts like wanting to hurt themselves or their kids (in which case I suggest major therapy).
I got a few tools to help me with unwanted thoughts so it is fairly useful for those that aren't thinking of jumping off a bridge.
I didn't like the narrator much either.

It was OK

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Didn’t know a story book would even help but i found it while i was browsing about my problem came to know it was an intrusive thought and has helped me alot overcoming but still in the recovery phase.

This book Helped me a lot

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Would recommend! I had no hope for life, I thought I was going to do things and that my mind had corrupted but this book helps you not only realise what you feel but how to help you feel better. Even if this book was $300 I’d still pay!

I had no hope..

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