How do we control our own thoughts? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Dr. Abbie ...

Have you ever had an unpleasant thought or image that seems to pop into your head out of nowhere? These unwanted mental visitors, also known as intrusive thoughts, can be disturbing, distressing and ...

In the silent corners of the mind, where thoughts multiply like wildfire, overthinking often becomes our greatest enemy. It creeps in quietly — turning small worries into overwhelming anxieties and ...

Sign up for CNN’s Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it. In one ...

Ever notice that the harder you try to stop thinking about something, the harder it is to forget? That cruel thing your teenage son said this morning, that worrisome test result the doctor mentioned, ...

In psychology, the “white bear” problem (also known as ironic process theory), says that attempts to suppress certain thoughts can actually increase their frequency. The idea was developed by Harvard ...

Share on Pinterest Controlling unwanted thoughts can be difficult for many people. Alpgiray Kelem/Getty Images Most people experience unwanted thoughts from time to time. Some, known as intrusive ...

None of us can escape intrusive thoughts, the random and usually off-putting musings that include visions of shoving your hand through the center of a beautifully decorated cake or a bridge collapsing ...

The question I’m asked most often is, “How can I stop my mind when it’s spinning out of control?” Our mind draws us in, often in an automatic, intense, steadfast way. Before we know it, we’re ...

When trying to avoid an unwanted thought, people often reactively reject and replace the thought after it occurs. But proactively avoiding an association in the first place can be much more efficient, ...

In the mid-1980s scientists conducted a famous experiment in which they asked participants to try to avoid thinking of a white bear. Over the course of five minutes, the experimental subjects were to ...