Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts _ a CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts. ( PDFDrive )

34 Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts
I honestly believe that my husband is faithful to me, but I keep
thinking that I do not actually know what he is doing for many
hours of each day. I try to keep myself from checking his pockets,
his cell phone, and his e- mail, and from asking him for details of
his day when I know the reason I am doing this is to make sure he
is not having an affair. If his eyes follow a pretty woman or he is
nice to a waitress, I am flooded with doubts and ask myself stupid
questions like “Does he actually know her?” and “Why is he being
so pleasant?” I am driving myself and him nuts.
Scrupulous Thoughts
These involve judgments about yourself or others in action, intention,
or character. This category includes both religious and nonreligious
preoccupation with your thoughts about right and wrong
and judging your or someone else’s attempts to be totally pure, good,
kind, fair, and giving.
My younger sister just got engaged. I tell her I am happy for her
and say all the right things, but secretly I am really jealous of her
and can’t help thinking that I should be the first one to get engaged.
I am such a bad person; I want to be generous, but these jealous
thoughts won’t go away
When I say my prayers, I feel as if I am just saying them
automatically, and I think I do not have a feeling of worship,
just the words.
I have such privilege, and I know I am not doing enough for
poor people. I give to charities and at church, but I can never tell
how much to give— I think I am never giving enough. I know I
am not Mother Teresa, but I am always thinking that I am
selfish if I buy something I don’t need and that I should just give
away all my money. I always feel guilty if I overeat; someone
else is starving, and I am getting second helpings. It makes it
hard to enjoy anything.