How to stop ruminating about intrusive thoughts

[@banu111]

rumination is the hardest thing to stop, because brain makes to think that you need to solve this uncertainty to become normal and that is the problem i think.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Yes, learning to quiet that problem solving creature throughout our lives is very useful.

[@SandeshSandyaego]

@@everybodyhasabrain How exactly do you do that Mark?

[@KarmasAbutch]

THIS!

[@PixelBraint]

Last year, I had alot of problems but I was not ruminating and I managed to be happy. Now, my life is going better except my mental state. I'm super scared

[@samuelsnell9474]

@@everybodyhasabrain why am.I always trying solve my thoughtd

[@stinkyopinions6288]

Knowing that im not crazy and that im not the only one who deals with thoughts that i cant get it out of my head really helps

[@Dylan-qt2mh]

same

[@serenagilbert1483]

same same

[@tauseefp23]

Same

[@rhondapelletier2141]

Ditto!!!

[@canvasideas]

Not on your own brother's sisters

[@urbancampfire7253]

Man i wish my intrusive thoughts were about angry alpackas! 😂

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Urban Campfire But they are!

[@urbancampfire7253]

Mark Freeman Are your's? Mine are a bit scarier than angry alpackas I'm afraid. 😏

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Urban Campfire It helps not to get caught up in the topic. You can approach any obsession as just thoughts about alpacas

[@urbancampfire7253]

Yeah i understand. I was just kidding around. I´m suffering from "pure-o" and panic anxiety, and i found myself chuckling at the thought of angry alpacas. Angry alpacas hurting the ones we love, are possibly just as scary to some people though.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Almost as terrifying as vicious squirrels.

[@a.schweighardt]

It’s so true: the brain will replace an uncertainty with another - often more complex - uncertainty to “figure out” or quell with a compulsion. It’s a tiresome, virtually endless, fatigue-inducing, life-draining game, that doesn’t give much of a return on the investment; in fact, it can rob you of everything. Thank you, Mark, for another great video to help me (and others) be mindful of the systems at play while living the recovery life.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Andrew. That's an awesome way to describe this life-draining game!

[@gingerisevil02]

I call it "collateral damage." When your brain gets stuck it picks up on other things to get anxious about. That's the hellish part about not getting treatment for the initial problem. It's like your brain is being re-wired to react to everything.

[@gingerisevil02]

Sometimes I forget what made the anxiety bad to begin with cause you go down the road to hell or the "rabbit hole" of over reacting and over thinking to every little problem.

[@KarmasAbutch]

shaylen sanders Yes! This is quite literally true for people with developmental trauma from chronic abuse or adversity in childhood. #cPTSD

[@zuzu091]

The bane of my existence is "What if". Like when an intrusive thoughts pops in my head i just ignore it but after i ignore it i ask myself "If i ignore it that means i like it and i will become an serial killer", and after i reply with "what if i really like those thoughts" and the chain starts going...

[@LoudPaintings]

At first I read this wrong. I thought your were saying Mark Freeman is the Bane of your existence. Like Bane from Batman, which Mark could totally pull off as a cosplay hahah.

[@d.m2506]

Man this Is so me

[@abbyn1939]

Ugh this is literally how it is and i hate it. I'm taking Prozac and its helping a lot but now i also kinda feel numb to everything

[@madiw176]

this is exactly how i feel

[@sand9619]

I too have these thought and what I do is just say: you are just a thought. Don’t try to ignore them, what you have to do is accept them as thoughts. Nothing more, nothing less. Currently struggling to keep this attitude up, but it gets better hopefully

[@cassettepat]

Probably the tenth time I’ve come back to this video

[@broojie8191]

Rumination is absolutely the hardest compulsion to quit doing. I suffer from relationship obsessions, when it first began I would say I loved him in my head and it felt like if I didn’t something bad would happen. I would obsess if I got assaulted when I didn’t, I would freak out if I didn’t feel or a certain way or if I did feel anxious or even not anxious I would freak out no matter what the hell I was going though, freaking about ex’s and how I felt with them. Absolutely terrible. OCD has ruined my life, but I’m slowly getting it back.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It's great you're aware of what was going on and taking your life back. Keep taking steps towards things you care about!

[@Pioramic]

I understand this feeling. It will absolutely ruin everything good. And take you out of the present moment.

[@AnshulDabholkar]

More power to you!

[@abraham7140]

This guy is brilliant.

[@carlchaovski8542]

Legend hey

[@cheeremily96]

The idea of focusing my energy into doing things that I value instead of ruminating has been such a helpful concept. Thank you so much for introducing it to me. This video and all of your videos have helped me so much, and I just want to say thank you for making them! ❤️

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks! I'm glad you've found them useful. Enjoy putting your time and energy into things you enjoy :)

[@brewhadefeo707]

Mark Freeman how do I get your audio book in the USA on audible.com it says I cannot get it in this country because of the copyright. Let me know..ty

[@noayariv5902]

I really have diagnosed OCD, and that thing with "What if i'm an alpaca?" cracked me upppp🤣

[@julesrobbie5837]

I am 46 years old and have had this for as long as I can remember. For the last 4 months I have been in a deep depression in which I cannot come out of. In trying to learn more about depression I have been doing as much research as I can. It is in this research that I only today discovered the term "Intrusive thought". Although I can clearly distinguish between right and wrong, it has always bothered me, in fact "eaten a part of my soul" is probably closer to the truth, that these thoughts are even inside my head. I don't expect to be cured of this, but I have more hope today than I did yesterday, and indeed more than I had just 30 minutes ago.

[@JayantaBRoy]

The rat trap is a really good way of thinking about this. Our brain in its attempt of increasing our problem solving ability actually puts us into the habit of making problems out of nothing.Although I managed to not put too much attention to my thoughts ,this awareness towards my thoughts is somewhat making me mechanical ,it feels like I am losing my natural emotions towards things but I don't know it maybe just another complexity my brain is trying to put me into😌.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is useful to notice how the brain does that! Cutting out the checking and comparing around thoughts and feelings was a big help for me.

[@anasabogal255]

Thank you Mark for your videos! You can't even imagine how they have helped me to overcome and understand OCD. I love your honesty and openness about the topic, because they are so many people suffering in silence and wondering what is happening, I was that person for 22 years. Thank you so so much. Your are doing an amazing contribution to society because mental health is an issue we cannot keep as a secret or tabu any more. You are doing great and you inspire me on my journey to recovery! Love from Colombia, South America.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Ana! I'm glad you've found them helpful on the journey over these challenges. Enjoy the steps ahead! :)

[@elisacaullery2638]

I’ve been dealing with intrusive though for so many years without even knowing what it was, I was so scared of not being normal that it even prevented me for seeking what it was. I recently had the courage to search and find answers and well I could not be more happy! I used to think I was weird and alone in the world with this problem but now seeing that a lot of people suffer as well from that, and that there are solutions makes me feel so much better! Thank you for this video And good luck to everyone who deals with this problem!

[@MarieRhondelle]

Your videos are really helping me with rumination. I've had an epiphany of sorts that I'm overthinking and reassurance seaking in many different ways throughout the day...not just in the context of classic OCD themes. And I'm having more success by not letting myself stop and obsess and google... instead I try to just carry on with my day despite any unpleasant feelings.

[@jacksonscully9260]

I'm understanding this more and more thanks to you Mark. I never thought there was another way to think either. It's a relief to know there is hope.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoying thinking in new ways!

[@JP-cc9vo]

Thank you I realized that not only was I ruminating about bad things I was doing the same for good. This has been an eye opener. 🙏

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is so useful to notice that!

[@sorryimsosad]

Mark out here saving lives

[@everybodyhasabrain]

🙏🙇‍♂️

[@isabellamariaarevalo1084]

your channel is such an amazing help. i’m 17, and have been realizing ive dealt with intrusive thoughts (possibly OCD) for years. i finally feel understood and like i am beginning to understand my mind more, so thank you

[@potatomuffin4420]

I've been waiting for a video on this. I've been working so hard to not ruminate. My head starts to hurt.

[@Jenbug123]

I have finally got some control back onto my life. Anyone out there thinking they will never overcome. I am proof you can live again. Stay consistent it takes alot of work and time but keep going!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks for sharing that! Enjoy the steps ahead :)

[@Jenbug123]

Thank you so much your videos helped me more than you will ever know.

[@alimhdrum]

Super engaging video, you can really tell this guy has figured this out for himself.

[@erikgreeno6136]

this man's energy is very trustworthy. I just got a concussion and I'm healing and ruminating thoughts are running Rampant

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I appreciate the kind words. I hope your healing from the concussion goes well!

[@chevair0]

I'm finding I see more and more young people with intrusive thinking.

[@keithlhiker]

So awesome. The needing to know for certain. Also the practicing or reviewing conversations (often with negative outcomes) is so spot on. I read an article on ruminating called. Rumination: Problem solving gone wrong. Also love the fact that you're Canadian lol.🇨🇦

[@joeyam3480]

I can’t stop thinking, I can’t sleep. I’m so tired of this, it’s affecting me so badly I’m thinking of quitting my job due to this. I’m just so confused, I don’t know what to do anymore. The thoughts are very intrusive that I can’t even focus on anything anymore and the more I think about these thoughts, the worse it gets and I keep running around in the same loop of thoughts over and over again until I’m stuck and just can’t find a way out.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

But it's great you see that the more you think about the thoughts, the worse it gets. That's how it works! It's like any addiction: the more you do the thing you believe is going to give you the high you want, the more you get withdrawal. That thinking about the thoughts and judging them and trying to solve them and fix them and find a way out IS the problem. Those are the compulsions. So it's useful to cut them out. We can break that addiction cycle and walk away from that stuff in our heads instead of constantly picking fights with it.

[@joeyam3480]

ALINN the struggle is real. Any quick tips on how to relax yourself and disconnect from the ruminations when it becomes unbearable?

[@vevepriezviskova6909]

@@joeyam3480 Perhaps try googling various grounding exercises? Or doing a quick body scan?

[@joseramirez-cc1mz]

Become the observer, stop judging your thoughts as good or bad. Do not fear your thoughts, just observe them as thoughts.

[@je187u]

@@joeyam3480 what I fear I just take it , I face the fear , I let it happen . , and do what's important to me , I try to live

[@dwillive]

Thank you mark I have been so confused about myself and my mind recently. You have been one of the greatest reason I am able to understand myself and my thinking more. Thank you I am so glad people like you exist it really shows how great having a community is.

[@schujordan]

Please don't stop making content. You are helping me a lot!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Jordan!

[@awkwebum100]

I love this so much. I was always the type of person that in order to solve my problems I would tackle it piece by piece until I could figure out one whole solution to get to my goal. I always thought that was working hard and putting in serious effort. In short, it was exactly what the wheel is. The checking, the avoidance, the control, etc. And for the majority of my life I thought that this is what it took to get things done. But this video has helped me realise that, the wheel can be harmful. I’m going to subscribe. I thank you for helping others, you have a true kind heart, and I’m glad there are people out there like you :)

[@cheatercats]

Just discovered Mark Freeman and purchased his book “I’m not a Rock”. I was becoming depressed with reading that OCD was chronic and then I read a comment written by Mark, which made things sound more positive. Gave me motivation to really work to get better. Hearing it’s chronic all the time I find sets me backwards, it squashes hope. I feel I can get over this despite how much despair it has/is causing me. Intrusive thoughts after a baby can be rather exhausting. My problem now is having ocd about ocd. Consent looking for reassurance on the internet! Horrid way to spend time. Currently having counselling and purchased Mark’s book, so hopefully a good first step.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you have any questions as you're going through the exercises.

[@agg5324]

How is it going?

[@siddsen95]

Mr. Freeman, Having watched my fair share of OCD related videos, I have to say ; yours is certainly the most accessible, engaging, informative and humorous. I appreciate how deep the understanding of your own internal machinations are. The comic metaphors were much needed. Thank you and may you find your peace in all places where it's sought.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

😁🙇🏻‍♂️

[@francofitness9994]

I wish I would have seen the thinking vs thoughts video before watching this one. Because I believed self talk and self affirmations were considered good thoughts. But now I know!

[@_cr4zy_4ss]

This video made me feel understood. I’ve struggled with OCD for almost my whole life and knowing that I’m not the only person doing certain compulsions or ruminating over a certain thought really comforts me.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

These are very common compulsions and it's totally possible to leave them behind and give our time and energy to other things.

[@_cr4zy_4ss]

@@everybodyhasabrain your videos help me tremendously, thank you

[@kennywarner314]

Mark, I just want to thank you again for making these videos. I know of no one out there that is able to so clearly explain the ins and outs of OCD, and how to get out of the OCD loop.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Kenneth!

[@brandonjosephboyle]

The rat wheel analogy is great. It made me realize the neverending chain of thinking that can surround just one thing, so you know not to engage with it, as it's futile. It's good to have a visual like that.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Yes! It helps to put the breaks on it :)

[@everybodyhasabrain]

If you're struggling with challenges around travel and intrusive thoughts (and panic attacks, controlling compulsions, obsessing about disasters, ruminating, etc), check out these travel mental health articles full of tips and exercises: www.themindfulfieldguide.com/travel-mental-health/

[@bellie6142]

Your videos are incredibly helpful. No psychologist has been able to explain things the way you do. Thankyou

[@CJC1512]

I can’t tell you how helpful this is. I have existential OCD which is basically trying to answer the ULTIMATE uncertainty (I.e, is there a God, why are we all here, what is our purpose/if any). Which of course everyone has theories and opinions and there is scientific data in specific areas... but nothing could ever fully answer this question. I’ve been ruminating about this nonstop for 4 days straight. It’s exhausting and suffocating. This is the ONLY thing that’s given me peace: you are not your thoughts. This has given me a glimpse of hope and allowed me to engage myself back in the present moment (whether or not God exists). THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@FernandoVazquez-ro1nw]

This is pure Wisdom

[@alexmickmusic]

6:04-6:23 is a direct mirror of my brain for my entire life up till this point

[@JadMock]

Same

[@raftaarsingh2132]

This actually helped me with something I have been struggling since last 20 years....now when I get an intrusive thought....I just repeat to my Brain " leave the hell banana alone " or " don't eat the hell banana" and it works magifuckincally like aunicoorns. Can't really thank you enough, keep going brother, you never know what little thing is going to save a life.

[@rhondapelletier2141]

His FART ANALOGY did it for me,lol.......... he said intrusive thoughts are nothing more than a fart......😅🤣😄..........

[@sokuskan]

Mark I wanna give you big hug. I love you my human big brother. You have a nice soul, Thank you so much with all my heart.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@Enlightenedlikebuddha]

Another great video Mark. The rat wheel doesn't need to run all the time.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy letting the rat rest.

[@InMemoryOfBobbyCoon]

I am so happy I found this channel, thank you SOO much for these videos!

[@ahill7684]

Makes a lot of sense....being aware of how you ruminate about the small stuff, and how it naturally leads to more and more ruminating, if you don’t stop with the small stuff. A natural progression, or regression. Stop spinning the rat wheel! Thanks Mark.

[@kevinmccourt6546]

I still can’t get the hang of this. Whenever I’m doing something such as going for a walk in the park that doesent require 100% concentration, I will ruminate about frightening and anxiety provoking things I’m always wondering what people who don’t suffer from ocd think about on a daily basis that separates them from someone like me

[@paulSmith-te8gq]

I know it’s really hard but try Acceptance and Commitment Thereoy you can still have the thoughts but pivot towards what kinds of thoughts that you value.. because it’s not your choice to think of the thoughts thAt are bothering you but you can CHOOSE thoughts and actions that you value like I can have these suck ass thoughts but can still choose to hug my daughters at the same time ... it’s what you value what means the most to you not your runaway ocd thoughts telling u things you do not choose to hear

[@rhondapelletier2141]

Accept the thoughts as being there....... let them bring the scary feelings ........ I like to imagine mine as a bad nightmare when the monster is chasing you. You are so exhausted that you finally stop and turn around and say OK fine you caught me kill me! Nothing happens it’s a bluff !you’re not gonna die, the worst case scenario is you’ll be scared but eventually it’ll stop scaring you...... it will lose power......... ( AND REMIND yourself...... they are just thoughts, his analogy here on this channel is ....they are about as IMPORTANT as your FARTS!!! That really helped me ( and I laughed outloud,lol) stay 💪

[@FM-dm8xj]

Another great video mate! The journey ahead is long and challenging but your help ill be sure to get their.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy the steps ahead!

[@lukeoliver9785]

I’d just like 2 say from a fellow ocd sufferer, thanx mate!!! Your Chanel has helped me over the past few years. Iv recovered from my ocd n I can honestly say that u have contributed immensely 2 that👍🏾 I ran from ocd a lot of years n the only way 2 kick it is face it! 2 any1 suffering, listening 2 mark. He knows what he’s talking about. Any1 can kick it but ya gotta face it🇦🇺🤙🏾 n recovery is 4 ever so stick it out

[@deankerr2469]

I thank you Mark, you're a massive help to us all!

[@tobysmith4099]

Mark, you make perfect sense! Really helpful advice, made me look at my OCD intrusive thoughts in a different light. Thankyou from Wales UK x

[@alyj3l828]

I am almost done your book and I find it so helpful and eye opening.. so many aha moments!! I have been suffering since I was 4 )since I can remember ), but it only turned catastrophically disruptive when I became a mother ... before that it was just my normal organizational skills that made me rearrange dishes on the drying mat wether I was late for work or not. Or wearing certain outfits and avoiding others to protect my parents as a child. Obsessive eating patterns and exercise because I was a “fit girl”... the list goes on. HOCD ruined so many beautiful moments since the day I gave birth and only then did I recognize a problem. I have a therapist but trying to manage without medication (nothing against it - I may need it one day) it’s ppl like you who make ppl like me come out of the suffering in silence box and start to heal. So forever, thank you. Aly

[@stevo946]

I never noticed I ruminate about positive thoughts too, thanks.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It's useful to catch that!

[@beckyg927]

Oh my gosh! So glad I found your channel. I have been spinning on this wheel in my brain for years. I find your videos very helpful, and look forward to watching them all. 😀

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy stopping the wheel!

[@ajsawyer4497]

Everything about you is so calming. New to your channel! Have had ocd now since I can remember although I’ve only just recently recognized it as OCD. Always thought I was just an anxious person. Didn’t realize that checking and ruminating was a obsession and compulsion. I’ve probably spent a years worth of hours reassuring myself through google lol. It’s truly awful. But I’m grateful to have a supporting family, and serve a wonderful God.

[@whitneylaurenjones]

This is by far the most helpful KZbin video I've watched on ocd and intrusive thoughts and I've watched a lot. I just want to say a massive thank you to you because I feel like understanding the thoughts and thinking about we can the pattern of rumination is so helpful xx

[@nimrodgrrrl]

The banana analogy has blown my mind. Thank you.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

:) It was so useful for me to understand on the recovery journey!

[@alexfalconer-athanasssakos5066]

So glad to see so many videos about intrusive thoughts!

[@jencarron2984]

I love your personality and the way you explain things. I actually refer some of my clients to your videos. Great stuff!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you for sharing!

[@alyssavanderkat3417]

Thank you so much for this video. I do this all the time and am just realizing what I'm doing. Having strategies to help me stop obsessing over the same issue or emotion will help so much.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It is totally doable to change things up!

[@jacobgordon1093]

Hey man been looking for this type of video for a while now thanks so much!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@jeppepsi]

Love you man! Thank you for this

[@adamabraham6835]

Solid as always Mark, love your wisdom and advise that never fails - i find myself often returning to your videos just to re understand and not forget the practicals that we must invest in our day to day lives. God bless you sir you really are a blessing ! Im working on myself and have been for the past 2 years and I've grown a lot and healed a lot but there's that last bit of stubborn OCD that needs more courage and confidence to get rid off and i will achieve that. It's easier said than done but very much possible and i already feel freedom not so far. i hope you're doing well out there in this wet space rock :D Today i choose again to no longer suffer but positively grow in love and spirit and to never fall back into the dark never ending abyss.

[@GodlessPhilosopher]

This is super helpful! I just read a bunch of Dr. Michael Greenberg's work, according to which rumination is a compulsion, but you were talking about it in 2017!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I'm glad it was helpful! Indeed, the concept of rumination as a compulsion is not at all new. Cutting out mental compulsions like ruminating has always been a core component of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. There were research papers published on the effectiveness of ACT for reducing ruminating before I was talking about it.

[@KM-wv2og]

You are GENIUS on this subject!!

[@jennifermccartney4528]

You are amazing. thank you so much for this. God Bless you man

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you!

[@TheTerminator317]

Looks like I have discovered another compulsion. Rumination. This is a big one after seeking reassurance, stopping thoughts. It's so easy to ruminate. When rumination happens the irony seems that I ruminate about rumination too. And when OCD rears its head there are just so many what if's going on. But trying to accept uncertainty and intrusive thought. Having said this we as humans need to raise so much more awareness and treatment options for mental health. Mark is certainly doing his part. Cancer and other disease gets so much attention but not that much with mental health. Such a pity..

[@lucasgergen5290]

what do you do when you have nothing you value. all i have to do in life is ruminate because i have nothing else.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You pick something. Values aren't attached to us. They're more like recipe directions. Just borrow a recipe and explore. It's totally normal to not have recipes hidden away inside of us.

[@squishyblurbmoment9404]

Unique mental health advice that is literally life saving. Thank you🙌

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome! 🙌

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Be yourself whilst handling uncertainty

[@TheEamoB]

Brilliant summation.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks!

[@VluMandamientoXIII]

Thank you for this video my friend. I am a 18 year old male, and I’ve had GAD with very obsessive thoughts that are health related. Right now I’m very afraid of developing Schizophrenia , I used to look up symptoms but I stop cause my psychologist told me I’m not helping myself with that and that I’m not at risk for the illness. But I’m still afraid I’m gonna go crazy and hurt people and then I get these really bizarre thoughts and then I get scared I’m getting schib

[@VluMandamientoXIII]

Schizophrenia

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It can help to recognize this is just like any health anxiety. The more you engage in compulsions as a reaction to it, the worse it gets, like your psychologist mentioned. With health anxieties, I found that the best antidote was to live my life. You can show your brain that you're in charge of your life and you're doing the things you care about in life. You can handle anything that pops into your head and make a choice that you value, that's healthy for you and for those around you.

[@proyectodevida8777]

Great and valuable video!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Antonio!

[@keikoo]

Thank you Mark for making this video

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@jennelle.v]

I have harm OCD. I constantly have bad thoughts that I could hurt myself. I have been hospitalized for this. I now take medication for this. I do meditation and read my Bible devotionals daily. It's so scary the thoughts that pop into my head. I like how you said that they are just bananas.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You can experience any banana and just walk right past it!

[@TgsMaverick]

The is the same idea as the 4 steps ocd therapy which is . 1. When you sense the intrusive thought you go "oh hey, there's that thought again." 2. Label it as an obsession from ocd. 3. Do something else you want to do, whether its mindfulness, an activity, etc. 4. As you do this learn to accept that the thoughts are there. As you said, thoughts are thoughts ^^. Once you do it enough your brain starts doing it automatically. The idea is to stop your brain from even going on the rat wheel 👍

[@christalynpettus9930]

OMG🤯🤯🤯this VIDEO really gets it!!!!

[@etripp111]

Thanks. Very informative video with practical advice. It almost sounds like you were in my head. It sounds funny, but it helps to know we are not alone in this battle.

[@xcellentadventurer185]

This video is really helpful. Been really struggling with this, so your information helps put my spiraling thoughts into perspective.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

I'm glad it was useful for dealing with those spiraling bananas!

[@dylanmeier2473]

Great video thank you for your help, stay safe and God bless!

[@jaymailk5733]

I really needed this video, thank you for helping us 🖤

[@mmariokart231]

OCD logic: if I eat MORE I won’t be hungry anymore so I’ll stop having an eating problem! 🤪

[@FloridaSprings12]

This blew my mind. So we need to let go of identifying with “good” thoughts just as much as bad ones, in order to break the cycle?

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Yeah, it helped me to see that they're all just thoughts.

[@gautierh2486]

Thank you Mark, you look really happy to share this knowledge it’s very well explained as well even for me who’s in that rat wheel cycle it’s shown me another way.

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thank you! Enjoy stepping off that rat wheel!

[@francismausley7239]

Fine post... thank you. "Nevertheless some thoughts are useless to man; they are like waves moving in the sea without result. But if the faculty of meditation is bathed in the inner light and characterized with divine attributes, the results will be confirmed." ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks

[@TheTerminator317]

My mindfulness has been pretty low today. It really feels like my OCD wants me to dwell about obsessions. Its trying very hard to convince me that I am in danger. Giving me lot of what ifs, creating threatful scenarios and really trying to suck me into all deep thinking. Its even giving me OCD about OCD if that makes sense. But I am just not buying that..lol

[@leanned.8828]

Thank you for this video...honestly never thought about it like this. (And I'm so good at thinking!!) ;) Been enjoying all your videos!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks, Leanne!

[@PokeyMeansBusiness]

this video puts a lot of things into context. thank you so much!!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@yark618]

Thank you, Saitama.

[@pip6884]

This is great trying to work on this at the moment . Thankyou 🙏love your channel . Much needed in a world that offers little help for so many 🥹🤍

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Enjoy dropping the ruminating!

[@samahelhassan5351]

Hey Mark ! Thank you for your videos . I have some questions to ask . My story began in 2013 when i had my first panic attack because i experienced a suicidal thought. After that , you could say that my life was just a long journey of anxiety , insomnia and unhappiness. I didnt have obvious compulsions . I just freaked out whenever this particular thought crossed my mind . I also developed other OCD fears , like fear of shouting obscenities in public, being too aware of my physical sensations and a lot of other different feelings. I regret not discovering it was OCD earlier , because at that point i was just a classic simple ocd . Anyway , recently i developed a more complex set of fears , especially after discovering it was OCD , Including scrupulosity OCD "what if what im doing is wrong religiously and god punishes me for it" , i also started questioning everything i do or think , even the techniques that are used to treat ocd "what if this is the wrong technique" , "what if im wasting my time" .when i start a certain practice like mindlessly letting a thought go through my head i think "but what if a logical thought goes through my head and i just dismiss it as ocd? " or "what if what im doing doesnt help and i should instead focus on intentionally thinking the thought instead of letting it pass by" then a question "but you wont know if it works if you dont give it time" and on and on and on . when i read your tips about how i should do what helps me live healthy and happy and what aligns with my values , i constantly think "but do i actually know what will make me healthy and happy? What are my values in the first place?" Everything i do or goes through my head is just a series of endless questions . Even writing this comment got my head spinning . I currently live in a third world country with sanctions imposed on it . So i can't purchase the courses you offer online. And i also do not like the idea of a therapist because our culture isn't very accepting of mental illness and the therapists we have aren't very good. I would very much , very very very very much , appreciate it if you could help. Thanks!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

It's great you're seeing what's happening. OCD is all about trying to get rid of uncertainty, so it attaches itself to any uncertainty it can find. This shows us how we can overcome it: by letting the uncertainty be there. Even with knowing what will make us healthy and happy, if we try to be certain about that and use that certainty to avoid things we're afraid of, then OCD will quickly latch onto that. So at first, it can often help to just pick some values. They don't have to be "right". You don't have to be certain about them. You can pick some values and take a step forward. You can see if those values lead you in a direction that you want to go in. If not, you can change direction. As you take steps, it helps to focus on actions. We will have many different thoughts and feelings as we take steps forward. All of those thoughts and feelings can be there.

[@samahelhassan5351]

Mark Freeman Thank you for the reply ! Its actually the first time i get a reply on youtube :D Im currently experimenting with OCD treatments options . But i find myself continuously ditching one method and following another . So for example , i'd try to just be like "okay, i accept that" every time an intrusive thought pops into my head . And that helped me a lot, but i still got minor anxieties here and there. So i'll think to myself , well i should do ERPs to completely overcome ocd . So i start this ERP regimen for two days then drop it . Then onto another one . What are your recommendations? Do you think i should stick to one method? If yes , then how do you suggest i convince myself to stay committed to one method and one method only ?

[@JC-wf7gr]

After losing a few nights of sleep because of the bed bugs corpses I found. I freaked out about it and tried to put myself into sleep during the day. If course it ended up even worse and every night I couldn't stop ruminating over why can't I sleep and what can I do to put myself into sleep. The rumination made my insomnia worse but I was luckily to realize that the very thoughts of forcing myself into unconsciousness was making the situation worse. I was not able to stop ruminating. Because when sleeping there is just not much things you can do to distract yourself from it.

[@qmax44]

Thank you so much!!! Your ideas are brilliant! They totally resonated with me, and I will try my best to develop my mindfullness skill.

[@thareal7820]

Wow this is really helpful god bless u

[@MrAussieJules]

one approach is to watch eckart tolle " how to stop compulsive thoughts" and realise that thinking , like money or sex... is overrated. the lure is that you are going to solve the riddle by thinking or dialoging in your head. the reality is... the mind is pretty much a closed loop, and the solution is.to try out things... do a few interviews using different approaches , try out a few dates, go surfing or cycling... read a novel and get a different perspective , talk with a friend and get a sudden insight.

[@oknar1977]

This advice, although with good intentions, does nothing for people with inferiority complex and being surrounded with toxic people pointing out your shortcomings. These two combined keep you stuck in rat wheel rumination and not taking actions. Because if you do something - you'll have voices in your head criticizing your every move that was done or not done or could be done but not because of intrusive thoughts. There are elements like toxic people, codependency, toxic shame. People who care and worry attract these and they are co-creators of intrusive thoughts as well and major stumbling blocks for most of people with intrusive thoughts.

[@DrEthre]

Hey Mark, I hope you're going to continue making videos, they're invaluable. :)

[@everybodyhasabrain]

Thanks! I'm glad you're finding them useful :)

[@emmablackman408]

brilliant. brilliant. brilliant.

[@fayded.]

For so long I questioned if she loved me. After getting that confrontation, my brain needed a wheel to spin, and it made me question if I loved her. Now the wheel won’t stop spinning, although I know damn well I love her more than anything. It’s killing me.

[@pompomkitty306]

Thank you Mark!😊😊

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@Bubbyzmom]

Wowwww I needed this. Thank you!!

[@everybodyhasabrain]

You're welcome!

[@barbarariver8766]

You are amazing! Thank you so much!