Dear Sofioula:

H a p p y         B i r t h d a y     S o f i k a  ! ! !

Congratulations for making huge a improvement in your mental health while seeing an excellent therapist- I am very glad to read this!

Regarding how to “shoo that particular thought away”- when you find yourself thinking about him and feeling distressed about it, do damage control, say to yourself: this distress doesn’t  have to last for the rest of the day, it is momentary, that is all. Then relax best you can, or focus on something that has nothing to do with him.

Try to not fear your thoughts, because none of your thoughts are dangerous. Some are associated with distress, but that distress is not dangerous and it is not eternal. You can contain that distress to five minutes, or ten minutes, not letting it spread to the rest of the day.

Yet in other words: when you find yourself thinking about him, don’t panic, it’s not a big deal.

Does this help any?

anita