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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

Written 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
Mental Health Personal Development Psychology Obsessive Thoughts
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What the critics say

“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)

What listeners say about Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

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This book saved my life

I don't have any other words that could describe it better than the title.
Thank you. I am so grateful that there are people out there working to help others.

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WORKS!

This method really works! Would recommend to anyone who has unwanted intrusive thoughts. I've been struggling for two years and thought there was no hope, but now I know recovery is more than possible!

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Helpful, clear, understandable

I founds the information and tangible examples supportive for understanding the concepts. I wasn’t a huge fan of the recipe for unwanted thoughts in the appendix at the end. I would have preferred to end off with the direct recommendations not opposites. Overall highly recommend.

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Well done

I found this well done informative spot on
I feel it will be a help to so many

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very good info

I am listening to this so I can understand someone I love better and how to help if I can. I think by using these strategies I will be able to help guide her through problems that are simply so overwhelming.

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perfect guide for dealing with intrusive thoughts

the advice in this book works so well. I suggest you check it out immediately if you suffer from intrusive thoughts. oh and senn annis does a Great job narrating.

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Amazing book anyone could benefit from!

The way the author explains the physiology behind intrusive thoughts; using analogies and examples to make it simple for the reader to understand the complexities of intrusive thoughts. highly recommend

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It really works

I've had intrusive thoughts since I was a teenager and they got worse as an adult after a very serious accident that almost killed me. I always tried to fight the thoughts and this book teaches you that's the worst thing you can do. Stop fighting and free your mind.

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Question

I have a quick question. So what if I’m no longer anxious or uneasy with a certain unwanted thought- does that mean that I’m getting better or it means that I might be okay to act on those thoughts ?

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Excellent and helpful

I found this book to be extremely helpful and practical. It gave me knowledge to ease my anxiety and tangible steps to let intrusive thoughts pass through

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