This document introduces thought stopping techniques used in cognitive behavioral therapy. It defines thought stopping as blocking and replacing unwanted, distressing thoughts with more adaptive thoughts. Several techniques for thought stopping are described, including saying "stop" to interrupt the thought, noticing the thought without dwelling on it, and replacing it with a helpful thought or mantra. Alternatives to thought stopping like distraction, problem solving, and mindfulness are also discussed. The document outlines the nurse's role in assessing clients, making diagnoses, and helping clients develop assertiveness and more satisfying relationships through applying the nursing process and evaluating the effectiveness of thought stopping.

1. THOUGHT STOPING
TECHNIQUES METHOD
PREPARED & PRESENTED BY:-
SUSHMA
MSC. NURSING 1ST YEAR
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2. OBJECTIVES
• Introduce thought stoping techniques
• define thought stoping.
• enlist techniques of thought stoping.
• Discuss thought stoping techniques.
• Elaborate alternatives to thought stoping.
• enumerate thought blocking steps
• discuss how thought stoping works.
• Discuss Indication of thought stoping
• Explain role of nurse in stoping thought

3. INTRODUCTION
• Thought stopping is a strategy that involves
blocking and replacing unwanted, distressing
thoughts. The technique is sometimes used in
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a way to halt
or disrupt negative thoughts.
• Then, a more adaptive or helpful thought can then
be substituted for the unhelpful one.
• Thought stopping has a long history of use in CBT.
However, some research suggests that when not
done correctly, it is ineffective and can often
contribute to worsening anxiety or obsessive
thinking.

4. DEFINITION
• Thought Blocking, also known as Thought
Stopping, is a technique for stopping and
challenging negative thoughts. It is a
mechanism for stopping catastrophized or
awfulized distorted thoughts and the
escalating emotional whirlwind of increasing
anxiety or anger. (Catastrophizing or
awfulizing are terms that describe dwelling
on a worse-than-worst case scenario.)

5. TECHNIQUES
• Stop the thought: Tell yourself "stop" or
try visualizing a stop sign in your mind. You
might also envision yourself capturing the
thought inside of a net where you can contain
it in order to work through it later.

6. CONTD…..
• Notice the thought: Don't try to suppress the
thought. Acknowledge it exists without
dwelling on it.

7. CONTD..
• Replace the thought: Now that you have
evidence that the thought is not a reflection of
reality replace it with something more helpful.
This might be a self-affirmation or mantra that
helps keep you feeling optimistic and focused

8. Other techniques that might be
helpful when you are trying to
stop a thought include:
• Set a timer: Give yourself a set amount of
time (just a minute or two) to have the thought.
Once the alarm goes off, tell yourself, "Stop!"
and redirect your mind to something else.

9. USE RELAXATION
TECHNIQUES:
• If you find yourself having a negative thought,
use a relaxation technique such as progressive
muscle relaxation or deep breathing to refocus
your attention elsewhere.

10. MEDITATE:
• Halt the negative thought by trying a quick
meditation to shift your focus to more positive
thoughts.

11. Alternatives to Thought Stopping
• Thought stopping can be a helpful cognitive
skill, but only when it is used appropriately.
Having a positive replacement thought
prepared is essential. However, it is also
important to recognize that this is not the only
strategy that can help with negative thinking.
Alternatives that can also be helpful include:

12. CONTD..
• Distraction
• Problem-Solving
• Acceptance
• Cognitive Restructuring
• Mindfulness
• Journaling
• A Word From Verywell

13. • Remember, negative thoughts are a normal
part of life—everyone has them from time to
time. The goal is not to get rid of them
completely, but rather to find ways to deal with
them in a healthy way.

14. 4 Thought Stopping or Thought
Blocking steps:
• Notice the thought

15. STOP.

16. CHALLENGE THE THOUGHT.

17. Reroute your mind to an inspiring or
distracting thought instead.

18. Indications of thought stoping-
• Agoraphobia
• Anxiety
• Catastrophic thinking
• Intrusive thoughts
• Obsessive-compulsive behavior
• Rumination disorder
• Social anxiety

19. ROLE OF NURSE
• It is important for the nurses to become aware of
and recognize their own behavioral responses.
• The ability to respond assertively is especially
important to nurses who are committed to
further development of the profession.
• Assertive skills facilitate the implementation of
change which leads to up gradation of the level of
professionalism.
• .

20. CONTD…
• Nurse to understand and use assertiveness
skills themselves can in turn assist clients
who wish to effect behavioral change in an
effort to increase selfesteem and improve
interpersonal relationships.
• The nursing process is useful tool for nurses
who are involved in helping clients increase
their assertiveness

21. ASSESSMENT
• Nurses can help clients become more aware of
their behavioral responses. Many tools for
assessing the level of assertiveness have been
attempted over the years. None have been very
effective because it is so difficult to generalize
when attempting to measure assertive behavior

22. DIAGNOSIS
• Possible nursing diagnosis for individuals needing
assistance with assertiveness include.
• Coping, defensive
•  Coping, ineffective
•  Decisional conflict
•  Denial, ineffective
•  Personal identity, disturbed
•  Powerlessness
•  Rape-trauma syndrome
•  Self-esteem, low
•  Social interaction impaired
•  Social isolation

23. OUTCOME/IMPLEMENTATION
• The goal of nurses working with individuals
needing assistance is to help them develop
more satisfying interpersonal relationships. O
• utcome criteria would be derived from specific
nursing diagnosis.

24. Some examples might include:
• The client verbalizes and accepts responsibility
for his or her own behavior.
• The client is able to express opinions and disagree
with the opinions of others
• in a socially acceptable manner and without
feeling guilty. The client is able to verbalize
positive aspects about self.
• The client verbalizes choices made in a plan to
maintain control over his or her life situation.
The client approaches others in an appropriate
manner for one

25. EVALUATION
• Evaluation requires that the nurse and the
client assess whether or not these
•  techniques are achieving the desired
outcomes. Assertiveness training serves to
extend and create more flexibility in an
individual’s communication style so that he or
she has a greater choice of responses in
various situation.

26. SUMMARIZATION
Introduction to thought stoping techniques
Definition of thought stoping.
Enlisted techniques of thought stoping.
Discussed thought stoping techniques.
Elaborated alternatives to thought stoping.
Enumerated thought blocking steps
Discussed how thought stoping works.
Discussed Indication of thought stoping
Explained role of nurse in stoping thought

27. Bibliography:
• Debr’s Mental health (Psychiatry) Nursing, D.
Elakkuvana Bhaskara Raj, EMMESS Medical
publishers, New-Delhi. (Page no- 117-124)
• Mary C. Townsend, Psychiatry Mental health Nursing,
6th Edition. Pawan Sharma, Essentials of Mental health
Nursing, JAYPEE BROTHERS, 1St Edition 2013.
• Anbu. T; Textbook of Psychiatry Nursing; EMMESS,
1St Edition 2010.
• R. Sreevani, A guide mental health Nursing, 4th
Edition, Jaypee Publications.
• www.google.com/Assertivetraining.

28. ANY QUESTIONS?

29. THANK YOU!