How to Stop Being Obsessed

Obsession is an overused word in the American language -- people often say they are obsessed with food, their phone or a TV show. Some individuals, however, who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder are truly obsessed with mundane activities or thoughts to the point that they cannot function normally. Others who suffer from depression can have obsessive thoughts that make them feel bad about themselves.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the emotion causing the obsession. Admit that it is something that is detrimental to your mental health. Commit to changing your attitude towards this action, person or event.

• 2

  Allow yourself a set amount of time to engage in your obsessive thoughts over a subject. Give yourself 15 minutes a day, for example, to obsess over your weight -- and then don't think about it anymore that day. This helps set boundaries on the behavior.

• 3

  Realize when you are obsessing over something, and stop yourself. Learn to recognize when your mind is heading toward the obsessive thoughts and direct your thinking elsewhere.

• 4

  Acknowledge that the obsession may be about a mistake you have made and forgive yourself. Be gentle with yourself and see how you can learn from your mistakes. Make a list of all the things the mistake has taught you and substitute the list for the obsessive thoughts.

• 5

  Discuss your obsessions with a friend. Sometimes speaking makes the obsessive thoughts less powerful. A friend may also be able to give you perspective on the obsession.

• 6

  Realize you have control over your mind, rather than the other way around. Your thoughts do not control you. You control your thoughts, and you can change them at any time.