Response Prevention Techniques

Just as the name implies, you can prevent yourself from responding to urges! When you experience an impulse or an urge to act out a compulsive behavior, you can stop yourself from reacting to the urge. Not only does this alter negative behavior patterns that may be ingrained for many years, it also saves time and allows you to focus your attention elsewhere. Common response prevention techniques include physical exercise while playing loud music to make it hard to focus on the urge, or even making it impossible for yourself to do the behavior you wish to prevent. For example, if you check your cellphone constantly and feel powerless to stop, then deliberately leave your cellphone at home while you go for a walk or visit friends. What other types of things could you do to prevent yourself from responding to urges? More at this page.