Really depends on the distraction, also I wouldn't say that they worked for a while and suddenly stopped working altogether, but more that they work for a small moment every day before my thoughts become overwhelming again. For an example, my top distractions are music and escapism through daydreaming. Music is good because it keeps you in a headspace, but it doesn't take much to distract you, like a louder exterior noise that makes you take your earphones off. I'd say it takes my mind off of things an hour max. As for daydreaming, it's a bit more tricky. It depends again if you're disturbed by an exterior factor, if you're in a deep headspace and if you're in the right situation for daydreaming ( ex. If you're bored at school). Sometimes I can only daydream about a certain situation in the lull of a conversation, while sometimes it borders on dissociation and I get lost in a whole another universe for hours at a time, then I become aware again and I wonder how I lost track of time.