Reader’s Question

I constantly repeat words over and over in my head. If I wake up to the radio and the announcer just said something, I turn the radio off and head for the shower with the last word he spoke repeating over and over in my mind. I do not say the words, but I can feel a pull on the muscles of my tongue and throat as if I want to utter them. I do this during the day, too. If I am thinking to myself, I might end my thought and then keep thinking of a word I just thought of over and over. It is usually just one word or a number, not full sentences or phrases.

I used to be sort of OCD, counting things, and I could not stop practicing basketball until I had sunk ten in a row, etc. But I forced myself to stop doing those things. I used to have a lot of tics, too, but I forced myself to stop those as well. However, it is more difficult to just stop thinking like this. I can’t help but think this is connected to a disorder. Any thoughts?

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Folks who suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often experience lingering signs and symptoms of the condition even after successfully mastering a self-directed program of behavioral control. Sometimes it’s good to remember that thoughts can be managed in much the same manner as disturbing behaviors can be controlled. Still, it’s not uncommon for some symptoms to persist.

One very important thing to remember if you’re going to stay on a program of self-directed control over your thoughts and impulses is to reinforce yourself for the effort. It’s generally not enough merely to exercise control over your muscles or to re-direct your thoughts. You have to give yourself a well-earned bit of recognition for what you did and a pat on the back for the effort. Remember, it’s the effort — not necessarily the success or failure — that you want to reinforce. Over time, you might find your symptoms abating in intensity and frequency.

There are many approaches available to deal with OCD and related symptomatology. If you haven’t already done so, it’s best to consult with a mental health professional who specializes in that area of treatment.