Get rid of intrusive thoughts

If you want to leave intrusive thoughts behind, it can help to look at how we attach judgments and meaning to the stuff in our heads.
For working on recovery skills, grab my book, YOU ARE NOT A ROCK, wherever books are sold, like here on Amazon: bit.ly/youarenotarock
(It's called THE MIND WORKOUT in the UK and Australia/New Zealand, DAS MIND-WORKOUT in Deutsch, ENTRENA TU MENTE en español)
For coaching details, visit: www.markfreeman.ca/coaching
Connect here:
Travel mental health blog: www.themindfulfieldguide.com
Instagram: / markwfreeman

[@kaanyldz4814]

It's such a joy to see someone emerge victorious from a disorder that is thought of as chronic and even help thousands of us do the same. 🎉

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙇‍♂️

[@mikarose9405]

I have had this affliction for so long. I had no idea for a long time that there was anyone else in the world who has suffered from it. I find so much comfort in knowing that I am not alone, that there are others who understand. Thanks so much for putting this video out.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It's very common for humans with brains!

[@Christabel44]

You’re one of the few people that say it’s possible to leave ocd behind. I appreciate that so much. I’m tired of people saying it’s chronic.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is strange people are still stuck on the old chronic myth.

[@shawnleong3605]

I feel like those ppl are like crabs in the bucket - they can’t get out of ocd, or they are taught that cod is a chronic chemical imbalance, and then they spread those beliefs to those who seek hope.

[@TheCrayonMan529]

I also realized one of my intrusive thoughts was actually a mental compulsion to see how I would react. The more I stopped compulsions, the longer I go without intrusive thoughts. I also notice now the more I don't react, the more the thought turns into short term memory and I forget the thought.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

That is all so useful to understand!

[@vh3914]

Watching this as a person who used to struggle with crazy intrusive thoughts is so cool. Because of Mark’s teaching (yeah, sounds epic) I don’t struggle with them anymore. For guys who have hard time because of their OCD - it is absolutely possible to live full and fulfilling life even with OCD and, of course, later on, when you walk away from it. You can do it. I believe in you❤

[@user-tf7zb4zw2q]

how did you do it?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙌 Yes! Thanks for sharing!

[@ilygab3]

@@user-tf7zb4zw2q suppress the thought by just not worrying about it or by thinking about something else that you like

[@duppyshuman]

Learning to sit with discomfort. I use mindfulness. Acknowledge the emotions the thoughts are bringing up, then let them roll away like waves on the beach and redirect myself back to the good place I was and repeat as many times as necessary.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy letting the waves flow!

[@duppyshuman]

Amen.@@everybodyhasabrain

[@killjoyxprt]

You have no idea how much this video has helped me. Literally life saving. I’ve been struggling for months, crying myself to sleep, getting up in the middle of the night freaked out. I’m gonna pay no mind to my intrusive thoughts more often. Thank you so much!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy leaving the thoughts to just do whatever they want to do!

[@mrmayhem_nc9869]

HOW!?

[@JoaoNeto-wc9sy]

I've been struggling with this issue for about 6 months, watching this video and reading some comments here feels like a breath of fresh air, thanks a lot!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

That's great to hear, João!

[@originmaple]

I never thought I would find a video that broke down exactly whats going on in my head. The allegator anology was spot on to what I have been experiencing for years now and hearing you talk about it in this video gave me hope that I too can deal with it.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy walking away from those mental debates!

[@JorPanzer]

the bit at 5:40 'does that mean i'm attracted to alligators' made me howl. God thats such an accurate stereotypical 'intrusive thought'

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Its scales were genuinely a very attractive shade of green...

[@cha0siithe0ry19]

one of the best videos on intrusive thoughs in a way that really translates to the people. Listen to Mark. The theme is irrelevant. A thought is just a thought. The content of it doesn't matter. Yes if you take it literally the subject might be weird, but that's not what you did or liked. You simply had a thought. Your thought of x y or z is the same as thinking about 'sponge' treat it the same way. Don't judge it or try to figure it out. Let's all have a better time of being us and give our judment superpowers to things we love. It can feel hard and almost impossible, but we can give our energy to things we value whilst any thought or feeling pops up. Good luck everyone and remember no luck is required we all have it in us to exist peacefully and productively to the things we care about

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙌

[@789quicky]

This video should be an advert on every channel. Imagine how many peoples lives it would change for the better... Everyone struggling with their mental health or even not struggling needs this kind of advice. Well done Mark 👏

[@Deathhead68]

The alligator thing made me laugh so much, really captures what these compulsive thoughts can be like in such a relatable and funny way.

[@Lorenzo_Marchetti4537]

This 12 minute video is absolute gold. Better info than I’ve heard from 3 psychologists, I need to thank you Mark for this. We appreciate it!!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@myoreo307]

I agree! He explains it very well.

[@gingerisevil02]

I think limiting your time in social media and toxic people also is key… that shit is bad for your body and mental health. My ocd is sucks because it overlaps my ptsd (obsession that others are monitoring me/my body is on display… so if someone comments, or activates that belief,) and my adhd (fear others will constantly distracting me …) You can abuse your brain or treat it well… I thought your ideas were Bullshit till I was in a better place. I appreciate you sharing your recovery !

[@ifeanyiokonkwo7130]

The alligator metaphor was so spot on with how my brain treats intrusive thoughts omg. This was the first video I watched that really broke it down in a personable way ❤

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@franciscodnb]

If UFC had GSP as a role model for all fighters, Mental Health Community has Mark Freeman! Thank you Mark for your everyday work. You a blessing in people’s life.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you for the kind words, Chuck!

[@adamabraham6835]

Thank you Mark, the problem is when we initially judge in our head. If i had applied the stoic philosophy sooner to myself i would've never ended up struggling as much as i did. No more labelling thoughts as intrusive no more attaching emotions to any thought for that matter. This approach may certainly be the best to achieve any sense of actual "stillness'' or "peace" & "clarity" in my head. Time to rewire the mind.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

And if there isn't any peace, stillness, or clarity, you can allow those to be there, too!

[@Laughand__live]

I was also struggling with intrusive thoughts for almost 3 to 6 months.. but then i understood that it's just the brain which are creating these thoughts.. we should not take our thoughts too seriously.. dn i stopped taking the thoughts seriously and i stop to put meaning on them..after that i overcome very quickly from these thoughts.. sometimes intrusive thoughts pop into my mind but i tell my brain , ohh intrusive thoughts you are here again okay you want to play but i will not gonna judge my thoughts..they are just harmless..do what you want to do my brain ... You enjoy your party .. it really helped when you don't put meaning on them..

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is a wonderful skill to just let the brain go and do its thing

[@Nicolas-rz7uc]

Really interesting. That’s what I’ve been focusing on lately. Would you say that the intrusive thoughts were linked to some sort of anxiety? Did you focus on changing things in the real world as well? Or that was just about calming the thoughts in your head. Thank you for your comment!

[@Laughand__live]

@@Nicolas-rz7uc hey, actually during covid we all were busy with social media like Instagram , Facebook.. and there were so many news about death and all .. i had read many news about heart attack which negatively impact me.. and after that my brain started to create some thoughts related to my close ones .. which were very disturbing.. at first i tried to control my thoughts but that didn't work.. thn i came across to a video which literally change everything.. just don't take your thoughts seriously.. let them come in your mind and give them permission to do party in your head.. they will disappear automatically from your head..and if you find it difficult thn just give your brain a name and think it as a second person..and just ignore him completely..and you can finally see the change..

[@Laughand__live]

@@Nicolas-rz7uc now i don't use social media that much..i only see those things which will improve my thoughts process.. and i started to spend more time with my family and friends .. just focus on your goals spend time with your love ones..and you'll overcome it.. fighting 🤘

[@romantheroman98]

Mark out of context: a pen jabbed through my eyeball. This one was one of my brains favorites. We can have these experiences and they can be there.

[@matthewdavy293]

So true Mark and also, if a thought evokes a feeling, that’s ok too, have that feeling, let it come and go. Of course if one gets some thought of a loved one dying, it will probably evoke an emotional response, or maybe not, either way, whatever the experience is, allow it without resistance or judgement and it will pass and be replaced by new experiences.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Absolutely!

[@iapreneuriat]

Thank you, you just put a smile on my face today.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙌

[@loveyourbodybyoctavia333]

Amazing. ❤ This applies to almost anything. Saying to yourself, I have no bad parts. Let it be. This resonates so much, thank you.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Yes, it's so useful to look at how we're interacting with any experience.

[@trevorhare1815]

Thanks for the video!

[@immaisuradze]

Your videos are so inspiring!!! Thank god gave me people like you ❤️😄😁

[@emach07]

Man, this helped my so SO much. He's been struggling with both anxiety and OCD and is Autistic to boot. And today told me of some thoughts he's had for the first time that was SO out of character for him and it really bothered him. I tried explaining to him just because it entered his mind doesn't mean that he deliberately thought up the thought. So I started looking around for some videos on it and found TONS f them including this one. He was so relieved not only seeing this one but all the dozens and dozens in the YT suggested section as I told him, see! it's not just you. Thanks a bunch for having the courage to say all these things and share them 😍

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I'm glad you both found it useful! These are very common experiences and it's very doable to make changes around them. 😁🙌

[@velvetadler8692]

such a simple concept, yet somehow i manage to forget it all the time lol i appreciate your videos mark, they're a big help. i think my biggest problem is overthinking thoughts, especially because i've trained my brain into following a train of thought automatically, and dissecting every lil bit of it. it's tough to unlearn, especially when i keep forgetting that i can just let it exist 😪

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You can just let it exist! :)

[@aiai3036]

That’s my issue

[@sweetAZhoney01]

Fantastic video. You never fail to create awesomeness. Thanks for being here and for helping us 😊

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you so much for the super thanks donation, Chez! I appreciate the support and the kind words. It is an honour to be part of such an excellent community doing hard things!

[@ThePROMINENCE]

I needed this. Thank you Mark.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@Marty_Mcslime]

I swear this video hit right on time. Mark this advice is gold.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Kai! That's great to hear it arrived on time :)

[@ubernerrd]

Thanks for posting this.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@magictone13]

Dear Mark, Thank You. You make it simple. Thank You 💗 Bless You 🌸

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you!

[@Meet2niceyou]

I just recently tuned into your videos (this week-ish) I must say. I very much appreciate the way you talk about your experience. Mine is very similar. I’m a veteran and I have them constantly. Everyone around me at all times it feels is dead. And I see the carnage all around me.

[@fair98fair]

Thankyou for your service! These videos will help 🙂

[@Alrokerthon]

This is amazing - agree this is the way

[@everybodyhasabrain]

This is the way.

[@spineljoestar5583]

Your videos help me in the past I never knew what intrusive thoughts were until you explained them and you gotten better then how I was before thank you for that

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I'm glad the videos have been helpful!

[@SolarBabeLLC]

This video came right on time for me. Everything you said was extremely helpful, thank you so much!❤

[@everybodyhasabrain]

:)

[@user-jm3no9dh6s]

Thank you for your video and for your advices

[@everybodyhasabrain]

:)

[@vinkokrobot2226]

Thanks brother

[@anabiticu]

I want to thank you so much! You helped me enormously!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome! I'm glad it's helped!

[@itrama]

Thank you so much for this video! Just hearing you talking and explaining have given me a lot of relief and hope :) Thank you again ❤

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was useful :)

[@jcrypto7475]

This is awesome thanks so much for sharing took a load off my mind. This needs spreading 👏

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙌

[@johnnymanning4920]

This is brilliant stuff. Thank you

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@onyllindoro1361]

Magnificent info. Thank you 🙏

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you!

[@dariusthedestroyer7183]

Amazing video Mark I remember discovering you on the podcast OCD stories it would be amazing if you would do a follow up podcast

[@JesseTaylorTraxxx]

Amazing Video! Thank You Mark!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

:) Thank you!

[@gmma125_5]

Mark, thanks so much, I love you’re unique perspective it’s very helpful. Do you have any insight you can share on social anxiety?

[@gingerisevil02]

I couldn’t recover from OCD when I was living alone on disability in substafized housing with no autonomy being oppressed… now that I have a job, more security and autonomy, starting with an OCD specialist and ditching my unhelpful therapist, I’m starting to lose some intrusive thoughts… My ocd overlaps my other conditions, like self image and anorexia (body dysmorphia and anorexia nervousa…) I’ll obsess bout how other people perceive me.. working in child care was good exposure therapy… also cutting out superficial people who value those things/don’t value me… innocent and kind people do not objectify and devalue people. And I only did it to myself because I internalized narcissistic abuse and hated myself… still working on it. Still doing some compulsions like avoiding but that’s what I need right now until I can work with a specalist in April. These videos help a lot! Self compassion sounds like the key to recovery, not concerning yourself with being “pure” and “clean” and “perfect.” If you’re a woman, plenty of people who will objectify and dehumanize you… (my obsession is fear of being judged, humiliated, monitored, and watched in terms of my body and self image… harmed in my sleep, etc.) I feared it so much I’d isolate myself, or put myself in situations to be harmed… I think it’s also about mitigating your life. Ocd and anxiety are normal responses to high stress and oppressive situations for too long. TL;DR; I guess it’s true constantly exposing yourself to things helps! Having kids has helped me grow a thicker skin 😅the “mean comments” (they’re 4-5 they don’t know,) came later like “why is your face like that?” And “you have a skinny nose.” They didn’t cause my “trigger”/the insecurities were already inside me. Having compassion for myself and also knowing I can choose to disagree with what people say/not attatch significance to it as part of my value help.. I had guys who liked me insult my appearance too… understanding negging as of manipulation /gaslighting helped me realize what they say isn’t shit and I also don’t need to hang around people like that

[@littlepsworld2371]

Thank you so much, I always think if I could have those thoughts instead of these ones I’d be okay. I wouldn’t be a bad person… etc. you’re amazing

[@everybodyhasabrain]

🧠😁🙌

[@Amina-cw1em]

I just re-watched this video again. This was a powerful video and testament to recovery! Thank you!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you for watching!

[@sirahmad]

same here

[@majaexploring3801]

Mark your book and teachings helped me so much a couple years back. I am realising what you teach is also applicable to my thoughts in general. With "normal fears" I would allow myself to try to control them, because it seemed reasonable. But it's all the same fear based way of reacting to brainstuff be it a "realistic" fear or not

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Absolutely. It's so useful to see that these skills are just about life and all of the real things that can happen in life, too.

[@miarosec.6514]

Thank you so much❤️

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@NinaLode]

Thanks. U're really a nice person

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you. That is very kind of you.

[@drakefulton3914]

Thank you Mark, very empowering

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome, Drake!

[@kabirgorkhali8046]

Thank you so much sir

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@titusbrutus8861]

Thank you so much man

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@Metalhead1409W]

Thank you for sharing your experience on intrusive thoughts. It takes courage to tell the world what you went through. I believe I have OCD and PTSD. I went to a therapist, but I found it to be a waste of time (or I just didn't find the right one).

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I hope you find some great supports to help along the journey 😁

[@Metalhead1409W]

@@everybodyhasabrain appreciate it 🙏

[@honoringlife896]

Hey wow, thanks for the video. Like it very much :)

[@gregfromusa]

I totally relate !!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is very normal human brain stuff!

[@brianlouis2590]

So true , you can’t control them

[@zeplin8349]

Thanks Bro.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@aaronmanzo1684]

THANK YOU

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@sollerclock]

Thanks so much man

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome

[@nintendo_gamer]

Thank you, you have no idea how much this has made me feel more relaxed and less stressed from now on I’m going to watch this video every time I get them which tbh is from the second I wake up till the second I go to sleep… so thank you so much for making this video for us

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Watching a video when we get a thought is actually an example of an external compulsion / ritual. It would encourage the brain to throw them up more. It's like rewarding a dog everytime it chews up your shoes. It's going to chew the shoes more because then you'll do the thing that makes you feel good. So it's more useful to not do something to replace the thoughts or feelings. This video is about cutting out the compulsions around thoughts. We don't have to judge them as bad and wrong. The thoughts can be there and we can take them along for adventures in life!

[@nintendo_gamer]

@@everybodyhasabrain ok thanks :) I just really hate getting them

[@everybodyhasabrain]

@nintendo_gamer This video is about not hating on them. Hating on thoughts is a quick way to create more thoughts to hate on.

[@alderamin1402]

​@everybodyhasabrain omg So all we have to do just NOTHING

[@yfoog]

Fantastic video

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks!

[@jameswolohan1382]

Very good video thanks

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome, James!

[@Peach0023]

Thank you

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome :)

[@sammullett17]

Not being able to fix it, is the hardest part!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

But trying to fix it is the source of the problem.

[@soothersgreenjackson]

Good video thankyou

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@ninajohnson940]

The cop thing was so spot on. I always think they are coming for me

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Maybe they are!!!

[@alderamin1402]

Why did you say that​@@everybodyhasabrain

[@kalvess]

Very smart approach bro.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks!

[@Whoopsie_woggzy]

the way you discribed it really makes my brain 'feel' sort of sisyfusian (??) (i appreciate it!!)

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Sounds like a human brain!

[@cha0siithe0ry19]

This is genius. Good ass video brother. Much love.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks!

[@Advaita283]

Thank you for letting us know how this thing work.. How our brain work.. Without your help I would never have understood and my each day would go as in hell.. From now I will stop acting on these thoughts like Saying it's not true, and then justifying why it's not true and fighting with it which I used to do it.. From now on I will just accept them.. It's hard accepting them, because I feel like i am getting attracted to that thought..an urge to make myself prove right..its like fighting me against me even though deep inside I know nothing such things as per thought gonna ever happen in reality but still i react like it's involuntary....but from now I will try to stay calm the moment the thought comes up, first I will try not to judge and engage with that thought.. And say it's okay mind.. You can think whatever you want.. That's your function.. But I will focus on my function and not interfere with yours

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is so useful to just let the brain do its thing. Have fun making the brain catch up to your instead of you trying to chase after it!

[@arfajmind2984]

At the beginning of the video I was confused.. The title "get rid of intrusive thoughts" seemed to go agianst your teachings and views.. Now I understand that not judging brain stuff as "intrusive" is like not having "intrusive stuff" in the first place..

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Exactly!

[@ker331]

yes- calling them 'intrusive' can send the message that they are not 'normal' and are 'wrong' in some way.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Absolutely. It's way more useful to just have human brain stuff

[@Alhamdulilah6873]

❤

[@chelzyramirez3663]

I noticed that when I don’t give into compulsions and sit with the thoughts my brain will give me a new theme every few minutes or hours if I sit with it it’s like nonstop I hope it ends soon😭

[@everybodyhasabrain]

That's normal and it's also why themes aren't helpful and and why it's important to cut out compulsions across life (instead of topics), and why it's actually useful to look at the consequence of the fear/topic, not the superficial topic itself. The video I'll upload next weekend touches on this and the video later that week will look at how to go after the feared consequences instead of getting wrapped up in superficial brain indigestion.

[@chanchito4401]

For me I have intrusive thoughts about bad stuff in the world that bother me and it's very hard for me to deal with since it's enough for instance to make me miss if I throw a ball into a hoop the thought is saying "miss miss miss" (because the bad people want me to). Sometimes I try to agree with the thought to make it lose power but I wonder if just letting it be is best.

[@aktsundere]

The problem with my intrusive thoughts is that they're all objectively wrong and often extremely gross so they really really scare me I know pushing them away Is the opposite of what I should be doing but I can't help it they scare the hell out of me

[@everybodyhasabrain]

That's usually where people are at when they start learning useful mental health skills. Grabbing a good workbook or working with a skilled professional could be great places to start learning skills

[@aktsundere]

@Mark Freeman thanks for the reply mate I do have a therapist but I'm afraid of discussing these thoughts with them because they're not thoughts you should really discuss with anyone it makes me feel great to know that there is a path to recovery and that I'm not alone in this fight though

[@anygoodnames]

@@aktsundere I have thoughts of me being violent too, meditation and Buddhism helps a lot.

[@princesses278]

So stop ruminating ❤

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It's very useful!

[@wutru20]

Would you judge physical sensations like dizzyness or pppd and all that rabbit Hole stuff the same?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Yes! It's whatever experience we judge as not being allowed.

[@zzippelgazz]

Mark is amazing, i was watching his videos past 3 years now and i have improved so much that i rarely even consider any ocd and its relation to me, i have a life to live, so i do that instead 😀

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you! Enjoy that living!

[@CandyWorld30]

The OCD theme is different to each person depending on what is most important to the person and what they fear the most

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Yes, it depends on beliefs and goals the person is holding onto.

[@ScottJ_Moses]

Hey Mark, for starters, your material has been one of the biggest factors in my ongoing recovery. That said, I’ve had a lapse recently, and I think it’s because, while I haven’t been ruminating, I’ve been judging old thoughts as “unwanted” and as a “lack of progress.” I’m going to watch the video again (it’s been some weeks) but I was wondering if you have any tips? (I’m aware I may get everything from the video, so thanks in advance) Thanks for it all.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

This is really common, Scott! There are a couple of things that helped me with the same kinds of experiences. I explained a bunch of them in this video on 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Recovery: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXerf5uBo8tgq7s Also, one thing I don't think I mentioned in that video, is that there seems to be a couple of fears/intrusive thoughts, which become like the brain's default alarm system for awhile. I noticed this for a year or two after I'd made a lot of changes: if there was anything going on in my life that involved more uncertainty than usual, I'd have some of the old intrusive thoughts, even if they were completely impossible at that point. But that was my brain's language. That's how it announced a problem, in the only way it knew how: with something I'd previously done compulsions around. Another thing that I've found very important, especially with maintaining skills that are useful to me, is that: The presence or absence of thoughts and feelings has NOTHING to do with mental health.

[@ScottJ_Moses]

@@everybodyhasabrain Thanks so much, Mark. I’ve gone back to not engaging/judging the thoughts and just allowing them to be there. Seems to be helping quite a bit, and I appreciate what you said about the brain’s default alarm system. I just found out recently I’ll have a few major life changes in the next 8-9 months, so that really made sense to me. Thanks again for all you do.

[@Howdy-Personality]

The thoughts that i might sometimes have are related to the ones that i love basically getting hurt in such a violent and cruel way. It makes me feel sick in the head, but i know that they're only my intrusive thoughts, and its not sick if i react to them with nervousness. But i do want these thoughts to get away as quick as possible

[@everybodyhasabrain]

But can you see the reassurance compulsion you just did in that comment? It helped me to see that's the kind of stuff that keeps the thoughts going.

[@sammullett17]

My intrusive thoughts tell me I've done something bad! It's worse than you think your gonna do something bad!

[@shamailazeeshan2649]

suffering from the same kind of intrusive thoughts as you are telling , so much frustrating these are .

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It helped me to cut out all of the compulsions I was doing around thoughts and other brain stuff

[@homiekeen23]

Any advice on how to "stop" the physical reaction that happens the second the thought pops up even if we don't engage with the thought? I find that the hardest, I could manage to not engage mentally but the physical bodily reaction keeps happening anyway

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Wanting it. If we hate on it, then it just becomes the intrusive stuff we try to clean away. It really helped me to see that it's just about unwanted experiences. So it's also very common that people will cut out the compulsions around the mental discomfort but keep on hating over physical discomforts. But that's just the brain's way of keeping us hooked. Both discomforts are happening in the brain.

[@homiekeen23]

@@everybodyhasabrain makes sense, I will try that, thank you!

[@paulasantiago6532]

Omg this made me feel better because the only one that bothers me is the image that pops up in my brain of poking my eye or eyes out then comes one like oh let me just do it n maybe itll leave me alone so basically my question is i just had a intrusive image then a thought? Afterwards like omg

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It can help to see that checking on this is an example of the compulsions that fuel it. It doesn't matter whether it's an image, a thought, a whatever, or a something. The problems arise from judging any of that as important and then spending time and energy on it to chase certainty.

[@dudewhatthehellman]

What’s the actionable insight? Realise that thoughts are only intrusive because we attach meaning to them, and be ok with thinking any thought?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Cut out all of those compulsions around thoughts and instead be a brain stuff athlete: want to have any thought or feeling or whatevers up there.

[@languagegravy]

Mark I saw one of your videos where you talked about core fear. I am so confused about my core fear. Do you still find it important to find the core fear in order to recover from OCD?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

The next video in this series is on that topic. I think people get a bit, too stuck on the idea of it being some special "core". It's more about understanding the underlying consequences we're trying to control so we can identify a lot of normal compulsions we're usually practicing. For example, somebody afraid of contamination is not usually afraid of contamination, they're afraid of what they believe spreading contamination will cause. Quite often, that's a fear of causing harm to others (and then being judged by others or judging themselves as a bad person). After identifying that, it would be useful to look at how they interact with social anxiety, how they try to control what others think about them, etc. That's all part of the same mess of stuff

[@languagegravy]

@@everybodyhasabrain Ya you have valid points! Can you cover in the video "Will visualisation help in OCD recovery?". Actually I am trying to visualise my future self like I am fully recovered and I am showing action that I dont care whatever the thoughts may be I will never do any things suggested by my intrusive thoughts. I am realising that I have the power to not ruminate and I have control over my action so I dont need to worry about anything that comes into my mind. I thought deeply about harm OCD theme and I realised that every human is capable of doing what we OCD patient fear but nobody cares about these thoughts. I saw that my worries are useless because my action is always in my control and I need not to ruminate anything. I started challenging my OCD thoughts by asking myself is OCD even capable of making me do anything and I can clearly see it has no power and its useless to worry about anything that has no power over me its just there to make me anxious by making me ruminate. Now I can easily stop ruminating.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

@DANISH KHAN That sounds like a very different topic than what the video is about. But that's great you realized that ruminating is useless!

[@languagegravy]

@@everybodyhasabrain No problem! I have recovered from all OCD theme except sensorimotor but soon I will recover from this too. For me, Realising that my actions are always in my control and any intrusive thoughts have no power over me I stopped giving it a response. I remember when the thoughts used to pop up in my head I use to give it subconscious response but when I thought deeply about it like why am I responding in such a way to thoughts. I started to bring it in awareness and gave it a conscious response which I practiced alot so now its easy for me to recognise any subconscious process that was fuelling my anxiety. I would like to give example of how I recovered from suicidal OCD. My fear was if I go to terrace then OCD may make me jump off the terrace and I will die by suicide. Then I build up courage to go to the terrace to see if it has the power to make me do so or not. I challenge the OCD by telling come on make me jump off the cliff and I realised that it has no power and it cant make do anything. I started laughing out aloud and thought to myself how foolish I was to fear this. I did this thing for few times and now I never fear any suicidal thoughts. In short: When I learn that intrusive thoughts have no power over me. Stopping rumination became easy for me.

[@ryanattar3320]

Hey, I get intrusive thoughts (pure o) when talking to someone and when I get them I try to not think the compulsions(mines are about how to think and focus and curing ocd..) anxiety hits, and because of that I also get anxious about them judging me but I still try not to think them and then im not actually listening to them and have some weird responses and awkwardness, can you give any tips on what to do! Thanks

[@everybodyhasabrain]

My number one tip with what you described would be to not get stuck on that "pure o" label because there's a lot of external stuff going on outside of your head with the stuff you mentioned. The next thing I'd look at are goals. Because if you have a goal to think and focus and talk "right" or "cure OCD right", then it's completely natural the brain will try to help by checking on that stuff and throwing up more intrusive thoughts because then you can fix them and reach that goal you're chasing. It could really help to have different goals. In the video I'll link to here, I refer to them as "desires" (like desiring to talk good, get rid of OCD, etc). This video also looks at the judgments and beliefs that'll be useful to change around the stuff you mentioned: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJbcn3V7e8iFmpY (The Anatomy of a Compulsion)

[@aiai3036]

This one being stuck for 2 months and it’s scary and won’t go literally 24/7 how do deal? If not thoughts then the feeling … anxiety linked to the thought and I know the anxiety has linked it but why isn’t my brain getting it , sometimes I swear at my self in the mirror coz it won’t go , I even tried to swap it with other bad thoughts but didn’t work. It’s like my brain dying for me to accept and just when I started recovering from Gad this happend . It’s the same pattern everyday I say don’t care anymore but truth is I can’t accept. Gives feeling of guilt , fear ect I understand but why isn’t my brain getting it ? It’s like I don’t own my brain lol

[@mehrabahmedhasam5998]

Just don't try to solve it.

[@scottmcleod2157]

Does this apply to obsessive worries as well? I guess really no different than intrusive thoughts ?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Same thing. I'd just look at it broadly as spending time in our heads that we don't need to spend up there.

[@immortalqq2560]

I have thoughts that are disgusting and unacceptable in the real world. So that’s why it bothers me. I tend to stick on to them because they are so unacceptable. Should i just say to myself when these thoughts show up the word “ok”?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I'm not sure why you'd need to say something to them. I would also skip all of that judging you're doing. I'm not sure how a thought could be "unacceptable in the real world". It's a thought. There's no difference between whatever thought you mean and a thought about a potato or a blue penguin on Mars. Those would all still be the same thing: a thought.

[@ElisabethVanVeldhuizen]

This is exactly my problem… i do not Care ABOUT The initial thought but all The rumination afterwards is my problem and it happends as new intusivw thoughts as i know its not helpful and i do not want to do it

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It's useful to cut out the compulsions we do in our heads around thoughts. Something that helped me was learning how to make changes around the thoughts I didn't view as threatening. Learning how to stop bothering those thoughts was a useful way to learn how to stop bothering other thoughts.

[@marisolsantiago3767]

🎉😊

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙌

[@saraemily7397]

The thoughts that pop into my head always seem to be if my boyfriend is lying to me. This can be about something that happened 2 years ago and that I've already asked him about 2000 different times. I feel like I HAVE to ask him for reassurance or I can't relax and it will consume my mind all day until I eventually get mad and ask him anyway and then yell at him because by that point I'm so stressed I "wasn't allowed to ask" and get some relief. Anyway, does your same advice apply to something like what I'm describing? I can't really figure out an underlying fear other than always thinking he's lying. I've tried to figure out if it's fear of abandonment but I am pretty certain he wouldn't leave me if I could stop with all this arguing and questioning. Do you have to figure out the underlying fear? I guess not knowing if I can trust him but I don't know what's underneath that. Sorry, this is long. Thanks for your videos.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I find it's most useful to start with cutting out the compulsions. It's often difficult to see what we're reacting to and trying to control because we're so caught up in the controlling. But when we drop that, then we can see what was under all of those layers of checking and chasing certainty.

[@saraemily7397]

​@@everybodyhasabrain Thank you!

[@funkymonk542]

What type of Therapist would you recommend ?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

One that supplies free donuts at each session. But if that is not available, then I'd look for somebody with demonstrated skills and experience around the things you want to be doing more of in life. I approach it like learning how to cook or working on skills with a trainer at the gym. They need to know how to do the thing you want to be doing more of.

[@funkymonk542]

@@everybodyhasabrain thank you buddy