How to overcome my obsessive thoughts?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been suffering from some thought problems for 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 the internet, and it seems like I am suffering from white bear syndrome.

The more I try to avoid it, the more it distracts me. My problem is that whenever I encounter a woman, the first thought that comes to my mind is to look beneath her neck. I am not able to make eye contact with them. They feel like I am looking at their breasts, but it is not so. It makes me feel ashamed of that.

As I am so conscious, I am not able to think about other thoughts whenever I face a woman.

Please help me out.

Answer 1

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 having a thought in your head that you cannot get rid of.

In my opinion, this is technically a type of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). There are repetitive thoughts; you are not able to control them despite knowing that these are wrong. For such a problem, I would suggest you take anti-obsessional drugs like Fluoxetine after getting a physical evaluation by your local psychiatrist.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Another way of treatment is controlling the thought. Control your thoughts by imagining some aversive condition. For example, if you see a woman and her husband notices you staring, you will be beaten.

Without any hesitation, please do consult a local psychiatrist for your health.

Thank you.