I would call this thought transferance but not sure if that is the right term

[Nabster]

Really, really stupid and thick question.

Sometimes I have things either come into my head, or I think of them deliberately, and I really would rather not. Is it really just as obvious as having something else to take over the thought?

I flick myself quite viciously on the ear when that happens. I probably look like a loon but it REALLY does work.

I slapped myself the other day and it bloody hurt!

some people wear elastic bands on their wirst and snap them when they have negative thoughts

Ermmm I'm not sure how helpful that is!

Not really into pain.....

They're called intrusive thoughts. Distraction is the key as others have already mentioned. Best to have a distraction technique already up your sleeve and ready to use when the thoughts strike, e.g. going through alphabet and thinking of someone you know beginning with each letter for example, or techniques that others have suggested that they find helpful - whatever works for you.

That is the kind of thing I meant. I guess I need to have something that I can call up instead.

I had a lot of these still do if i allow myself to get overwhelmed, mine are controlled now with drugs, all part of my ocd traits Psychiatrist taught me to think them through thinking about why they were so scary and rationalise them - my thoughts mainly are questioning are we really here - philosphical questions etc. I found confronting the thoughts did help but only when i was well into recovery and it was quite scary