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Thought stopping is a cognitive intervention and mechanism often used to direct self talk, often done by interrupting and removing problematic recurring thought patterns, replacing them with a more positive or productive thought. While some experts say that thought stopping is an aversion technique, others suggest it is branched off from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A newer technique, researchers have argued that thought stopping must undergo a formal empirical examination in order to gain validity, reliability, and credibility before used as a prescribed treatment. Others in the field of sport psychology have suggested that thought stopping can help to achieve a pattern of positive self talk, thereby enhancing performance in various aspects of life. Thought stopping has been used in many different areas of psychology, some of which include sports psychology, applied psychology, health psychology, and cognitive psychology. Only in the last 20 or so years has this form of skills training and use of mental preparation been the focus of research and thorough analysis. Suggested mediators for the uncovering a potential relationship between thought stopping, self talk, and performance is based on a systematic review of previous evidentiary research and have been found to be cognitive, motivational, behavioral, and affectual.

In athletics, sport psychologists encourage athletes and coaches alike use thought stopping as a way to prevent negative self talk. This is done in with the ultimate goal of reaching peak personal elite performance and enhancing results. Therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists have used thought stopping as a practice for those seeking help extinguishing a worry, an obsession, an urge, an unwanted habit, etc. As a CBT technique, thought stopping is done by identifying the thought for what it is and countering in the opposite way from which it wants, thereby redirecting and avoiding it. One approach is to command, yell, or mind scream "Stop!" whenever the unwanted thought recurs, and then think of a more positive or productive thought to replace it with. Here the action of actually saying the word ‘stop’ is used to block out the negative thought. Another technique is to wear a rubber band on the wrist which the patient snaps to punish himself whenever the unwanted thought surfaces, a form of aversion therapy often used to treat those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). A third method commonly used includes dismissing the thought at will as soon as it is noticed. In the office setting, therapists model the thought stopping exercise for their clients and walk them through the technique. Once mastered, clients can practice thought stopping in the therapy setting and/or throughout their daily lives.

By addressing the thought as it is occurring and redirecting it, those utilizing this technique become the catalyst for their own cognitive restructuring. Thought stopping prevents a cyclical form of rumination from occurring and informs the brain (through the hippocampus and amygdala) that the thought is not a real threat, thereby extinguishing the fight or flight response. However, this does not happen immediately and on the first practice of thought stopping. Thought stopping requires a conscious effort made by the client to respond using opposite action during times of distress, over time extinguishing the brain and body’s urgent reaction when the thought is not acted upon.

References

• What is Thought Stopping?, Psychology Dictionary
• Robert L. Leahy PhD., Why Thought Stopping Doesn't Work, Psychology Today, 9 July 2010