Common "White Bear Syndrome" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq
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White Bear Syndrome

The white bear syndrome, also known as the ironic process theory, is a psychological phenomenon in which the purposeful suppression of certain thoughts can end up exacerbating them even more. The example used to describe this condition- a person trying not to think about a white bear is more likely to imagine one. In 1987, social psychologist Daniel Wegner conducted his initial laboratory research on the ironic process theory.

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I have thoughts in my head that I cannot rid myself of. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, I am suffering with some thought problem since many years and my life has been completely distracted due to that. It has completely ruined my life. My problem is that I am obsessed with a thought and I am not able to overcome it. I researched a lot about that on internet and it seems like...  Read Full »

Dr. Shubham Mehta

Dr. Shubham Mehta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your details and understand your concern. White bear syndrome is, 'whatever you tend to think about you will continue to think about it even if it is something you do not want to think about'. Nothing can be more frustrating than to have a thought in your head...  Read Full »

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