When you know that intrusive thoughts are likely to return, you are less likely to fall back on old ways of reacting. This can include shock, annoyance, and anger, which then escalate the problem. Part of your job is to remember that thoughts can return at any time, from weeks to years or even decades after they have petered out. But unless you lead an utterly charmed life with no stress, conflict, nights of poor sleep, and no excitement, change, or boredom, there will be a time when the brain just becomes temporarily sticky and old pathways in the brain circuitry are accidentally reactivated.
