Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts

by Sally M. Winston PsyD

So we introduce you to the voices that we call “Worried Voice,” “False Comfort,” and “Wise Mind.” As you proceed through this book, we will present a variety of dialogues and commentaries involving these voices. Each of these voices sends messages that are consistent with its name. We will help you understand how best to relate to them when they pop up and intrude into your mind. Let’s start with Worried Voice, the voice of frightening imaginings. Worried Voice is the voice of “What if?” Worried Voice articulates the fears and doubts and misguided conclusions that predict tragedies and awful outcomes. This voice can seem irrational, ridiculous, even perverse, or downright crazy. Sometimes Worried Voice issues strange or urgent warnings. It interrupts, annoys, scares, and talks back. Worried Voice raises anxiety. Worried Voice is often the first voice to react to an intrusive thought or new sensation. Next is False Comfort. False Comfort invariably follows the “What if?” of Worried Voice. False Comfort is disturbed by these questions and tries to remove the discomfort. We call this voice False Comfort because it never achieves its goal. It often gives brief relief and