Dear Dr. Romance: I seem to ruminate all day about myself

Dear Dr. Romance:

I live in Scotland and I think we are quite backward when it comes to mental health issues. I have spoken to 2 therapists now about my obsessive thinking, both of whom seem strangely perplexed by what I perceive to be quite a common problem. I seem to ruminate all day about myself, seeking solutions for a mental health problem. The problem of which I talk is the fact that I think about having a mental health problem all the time. As you can see it is just a vicious circle, the reality is that there is no problem other than the thinking about there being a problem and that in turns leads to anxiety about the fact 'it's not normal to be thinking like this all the time'. Sometimes I can just accept it, other times I let it overwhelm me.

Hope this makes some sense, I'm looking for some guidance. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Dear Reader:

In order to change obsessive thinking quickly, you must replace the obsessive thoughts with more positive ones. For your problem, I'd suggest you do affirmations along the lines of "I, [your name] am relaxed and mentally healthy." "Attitude: From Negative to Gratitude" contains specific steps to follow. "Resolving Inner Anarchy" will help you gain control over your thoughts.

The Real Thirteenth Step: Discovering Confidence, Self-Reliance, and Independence Beyond the 12-Step Programs will give you more in-depth work to heal the underlying causes of your perseveration.

For low-cost counseling, email me at tina@tinatessina.com