How can I stop these intrusive thoughts that can help me sleep?

Intrusive thoughts are bothersome because some part of the thought has a meaning to it that may be unacceptable to us. The intrusive thought may cause questions about reality or the reality of the thought. Intrusive thoughts may be fears or insecurities that a person believes and suffers because of that belief. I as a counselor help clients identify the stories or thoughts they believe that cause so much pain. I believe if a person can identify the beliefs they have, the thoughts that support the beliefs and challenge those thoughts, victory of those intrusive thoughts are possible during the daytime and during the nighttime and can impact our quality of sleep. Thoughts support beliefs and beliefs propel actions.

Our beliefs influence our lives whether we are aware of the belief or not. Many times someone may deny their beliefs for reasons such as it is too difficult to look at them. It may be overwhelming for an individual to admit or take responsibility for their low self-esteem, fears, or insecurities. Many times a past experience shapes a belief like, "Everyone will eventually leave me." Taking this particular belief as an example, therapy can help a person reflect on thoughts about the future and thoughts about the past. Cognitive distortions and absolutes support intrusive thoughts. There are many things in life we cannot control or predict. An individual can control their response to situations that happen. A difficult thought to believe is "I cannot control my reaction or I am helpless." Overall, a solution to intrusive thoughts can lie in helping an individual return back to what is in their control instead of everything is out of their control. 

Intrusive thoughts, if they are deemed bad, can influence an individual to view themselves as bad, wrong or messed up. It is helpful to remember that intrusive thoughts are thoughts and do not make up who a person is. Thoughts are not facts or don't believe everything you think. This mentality can take the weight or significance off of the thought and can give power back to an individual who has choice and can choose to believe or not believe an intrusive thought. 

Looking at it in a different way, an intrusive thought could be a part of the person that needs to be heard in order to move forward.