Science of How OCD Works (Dealing with Brain Lock)

Explanation of how an OCD afflicted brain causes irrational and unhealthy behaviors & A method for treating it.
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▲Twitter: / jeverettlearned
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The content in this video primarily comes from Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz's book "Brain Lock." It was very refreshing to come across a clear explanation of how a mental illness works in terms of physiology rather than psychology. Then I thought it quite remarkable that, as illustrated in the book, by simply changing their mindset and behavior, people can physically change their brain for the better. (As is evidenced by brain scans taken after Dr. Schwartz's treatment)
OCD is a complex disease and this video doesn't intend to be an exhaustive explanation of it. If you do have OCD it would definitely be worth your time to check out the Brain Lock book: ( amzn.to/2m8g7z3 )
For those without OCD, I recommend checking out Dr. Schwartz's book "You are not Your Brain" which presents a unique approach for stopping bad habits based on understanding how the brain works ( amzn.to/2lvXDpa )
Also mentioned in the video is Norman Doidge's "The Brain that Changes Itself" which is all about the brain's impressive ability to drastically modify itself via neuroplasticity. While it doesn't introduce a specific method or techniques, it's an interesting read with a lot of useful information: ( amzn.to/2m8BPmL )

[@abhisheksarkar7408]

Suffering from OCD for 12 years. It's like you have two brains, a rational brain and an irrational brain and they're fighting constantly.

[@edwardcullen3484]

hey dude i can help u msg me

[@emmahemsworth9718]

I feel you:/

[@SandovArt]

Do an OCD whatsapp group for chatting!

[@aeroblivion2823]

Abhishek sarkar we all have that battle, hence the two hemispheres that make us, us.

[@CyPsyGuy]

Yes bhai. It's hell.

[@zp1167]

Sometimes compulsions are not visible physically, instead it is internally in the mind...

[@elpablo3728]

That's how my OCD works

[@ElizabethGonzalez-jt7ns]

Z P ... that's called Pure O. It's hell... hell in your mind.

[@ciaran6309]

i have it this way . driving me nuts

[@cradlecap123]

When you have intense pain regarding a decision involving someone who you perceive to be manipulatory or a bully then the war in your head starts. High status people damage you - as the war is before and after whatever decision you make as they pick up on your vulnerability. 50/50 is every decision.

[@JooOonathaaan]

@@elpablo3728 it's Pure- O

[@daiujin]

Stay strong fellow OCD havers. We're in this together.

[@speed90005]

ty man

[@tennyelbenny3694]

Casual two-sentence youtube comment about OCD: shown as (edited). Telltale sign right there. I feel your pain, friend, even in writing and re-writing this reply.

[@noahduring7962]

Thanks

[@sash0047]

Just clicked the like button 50 times to make sure i did it.

[@non-binaryeugene733]

Tenny Elbenny I want him to delete it and rewrite it without the “edit” being there because it looks imperfect to me. His ocd is triggering my ocd.

[@sleep2483]

All these videos "explaining" OCD never address the obsession part. Intrusive, obsessive thoughts is what causes the compulsions.

[@cryptolambo4502]

@nickys34 Are you actually for real?

[@IanBpa]

@nickys34 As someone with OCD I can attest that changing diets can help relieve stress, but I don't think that it is purely due to the lack of carbs. Ketosis for instance does help me feeling more energized and generally less stressed, but I think a big part of that is that I have to practice a degree of self discipline to do it, providing me with a sense of control over my life.

[@rosegrace9151]

Exactly and also CBT usually cure the behaviours better than the thoughts.

[@Vincisomething]

@nickys34 Do you want to share to the class what you think OCD is? Because whatever you think it is... isn't it.

[@PasscodeAdvance]

@nickys34 what do you mean?

[@csc1641]

My Note to Mothers Out There: My mother caused my OCD as she was verbally and mentally abusive. The anxiety in our house was hell and most of us siblings suffer from terrible anxiety/ocd/depression. Please don't have children if you are stressed out or incapable of love. Your children will suffer their whole lives from YOU and your poor decisions.

[@laurenpaterson3475]

Cheryl Smith yes so true what u have kids should be free from abuse

[@acelguevarra4331]

yeah. same :---(

[@Ed-tc2pg]

This message will fall on deaf ears. Abusive people will not take responsibility for their actions or care. You have to take steps to put your past behind you. People will justify anything to be able to believe they are a hero or right.

[@peggysullivan5396]

Cheryl Smith is too ! Same in our family

[@peggysullivan5396]

nickys34 wtf?!

[@CyPsyGuy]

I have OCD, social anxiety, depression. All of these are linked. Existence becomes nightmarish.

[@visualjottings5626]

That's absolutely correctly brother.i do have all of these.

[@e-towncuber5522]

It feels as if my anxiety, depression, and OCD all back each other up reinforcing themselves.

[@whereismyweave9738]

same. i wish i can afford therapy or medications at least but it seems like only the rich can afford them in my country.

[@monicak6296]

I think I kinda understand you...I really want to die, because there are times that I feel so dead inside of me. But if I did this, it would cause a lot of pain and I also want to fight, but sometimes it's just so hard to motivate yourself

[@monicak6296]

Stay strong, we're in this together

[@Max-bh8tg]

I have OCD, it is horrible, but I have started fighting back. It is mostly a factor of your environment. When you don't have control over your life OCD is a way to fill that void. When I was in a toxic environment my OCD was unbearable, i recently left this toxic environment and it has gotten a lot better since then.

[@lorenzoe.leonard4160]

undefined Try to meditate, it may help you man

[@Ultracity6060]

Intentionally refraining from giving in to the compulsions is one of the few proven ways to curb them. A personal example, for whatever it's worth, is that I'm compelled to eat things in an even number of bites. If things naturally work out to an odd number, I'll intentionally leave it at that, and refuse to break the last bite into two. Edit: just finished watching the video, and this comment is redundant. Derp.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

What the video suggests worked for me. But, you have to be prepared to accept the possibility that your fears come true. OCD has a lot in common with addiction. Every time you engage in one of the behaviors, it just gets worse and if you allow yourself to indulge in them, you'll find yourself starting over again. Medication and dietary changes may also make the process easier.

[@CzechRiot]

You're all missing the point that the original poster focused upon. There are different types and levels of OCD. Some people are aware that there are real logical reasons behind the "disorder", while others may be even unaware they actually have a disorder. OCD is a matter of conditioning, and a lot of this conditioning happens ever since one's birth, so it is always the environment that creates the illness, even though some people are genetically prone to it, while others are not. The compulsions are ways to "vent", since the person is powerless to actually fix the actual problem. The concept of "irrational fear" is not a synonym to "unreal fear". Whenever someone fears something, is because they went through some traumatic event where this "something" was involved. What happens is that, many times, the "learned behavior" or the "acquired knowledge" becomes mostly inefficient or useless to the rest of the person's life. Like, for example, if you see someone get run over by a red Ford truck, then you get triggered every time you see a red truck, as if only red trucks are a potential danger. The person may know that all cars have the same potential danger, but the brain has a vivid registered memory of the red truck ripping someone apart, and even though you consciously know other red trucks will not present any more danger than black trucks or whatever, your brain sets you in the ultra-defensive mode, and if you can release the tension this created in your organism in some non-hazardous way, it is actually BETTER if you do it. So, what the original commenter means is that certain people will "develop" OCD because they're trapped in circumstances that makes their brain prompt them to get out or get away from, but they cannot, so they have to find alternative _useless_ actions that sort of "_tricks the brain_" into believing you're acting in your own interest and getting away from the threatening situation.

[@lorenzoe.leonard4160]

I just want to help because I've been in the same situation, change the environment and meditate can help you. I'm not trying to be a doctor or something but if a person watched this video maybe he wants to know something more about this topic

[@knath5095]

Ocd is painful

[@jadenhernandez5109]

Mavis ocd is a nightmare and a unbearable unending curse

[@dhruvrawat430]

Hope this video helped.

[@paula_morton912]

Of course it is!! Mine is Profound and Refractory contamination OCD. How about others?

[@TheMJKnight]

Yes. Yes it is

[@midnightmoon3230]

@@paula_morton912 I constantly think I've dropped important papers while I'm out and constantly looking back to make sure I didn't. I also have to check locked doors and I have to always make sure all lights on the inside of my vehicle are off

[@micheljurgens]

Keep it up! your one of the best educational channels on youtube!

[@WhatIveLearned]

Thanks mate!

[@karathompson2242]

*you're

[@libraryofthemind]

he's only the best because he is so OCD about making his videos great!

[@tulllguy]

screw you

[@33Crazydude]

It would be great if you could do a video regarding tourettes. I think the brain abnormalities in OCD and tourettes are similar, but slightly different too.

[@VariusHD]

I have OCD and it really disturbs me. Every time I know that what I'm doing is completely illogical, but it just feels weird if I don't satisfy this "feeling" of doing something over and over again. The biggest issues I have are closing the door, checking if I forgot my key, wipe my ass (yeah really) and even look around (for no reason). But now I know what's going on in my brain and I will definitely try this behavior therapy out. Thank you! (Sorry for bad English, I'm German)

[@vincewarren1271]

Adi Buschu mine is counting letters in every word and putting on socks. It made college hell, but I made it to grad school.

[@sgky2k]

Looking back or around for no reason. We both have it in common. ;) the worst part is, My brain already figured out all of these he mentioned in the video. But it's just so hard to actually stay with that. But I will ;)

[@Erin-ho8qu]

Wiping to the point of bleeding sometimes? 😐

[@InnerRise]

Vince Warren yes! I play with letters in words in my head too! I use to have to watch t.v. with subtitles just to see the words to play with them.

[@scarletpeoni9347]

Adi Buschu how is your OCD now? I know it's not funny ( I have OCD too although comes in phases to some extent thankfully ) but the last two I thought were cute and funny.

[@REINERX99]

I have OCD and be glad if you dont have it, its a nightmare! 😭

[@lilyjr.1384]

Psalm 55:22 22Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

[@bajanteen212]

I also have OCD and I've been coping with it for just over 9 years. I think it's important to be aware of an OCD event (action, thought etc.), ignore it and MOVE ON. The more you ignore it the better you cope in the long run. Further, I find that positive stress (e.g intense exercise), and struggling in the pursuit of success helps take my mind away from ocd thoughts and brings me to a different reality and to focus instead on getting closer to my own success.

[@ElizabethGonzalez-jt7ns]

Darien Birkett.. ive had ocd since I was 17 years old. It kinda went away when I was about 23 years old. But now it's back with a vengeance and wayyy worse than before. I had two breakdowns yesterday and today. I have to go to work tomorrow and I'm afraid that I'll have to quit my job of 12 years. I feel like I'm literally... losing it to the point of no return.

[@haajjabbaajaj768]

Darien Birkett schenpranzia

[@ElizabethGonzalez-jt7ns]

G4nst4Ch33se ... I’m doing so much better after a year and 2 months of my first ocd episode. The anxiety is still there but I don’t let it get the best of me. How are you?

[@nikkig3799]

@@haajjabbaajaj768 no lmao research

[@kristymarie6065]

You got it

[@tabaxi]

you're using 'obsessions' and 'compulsions' interchangeably, but the 'obsession' part of OCD refers to intrusive thoughts, which this video didn't really touch on...

[@lucybello2995]

Very well said, at least one person on here knows what there talking about he's just a stereotype.

[@BullyMaguire22222]

I’ve had it my whole life. I was diagnosed at 14. People misunderstood it, thinking it’s a “quirky little ritual” but it’s hard to deal with. Feelings of guilt, obsession, and worry begin to control your life.

[@UIAL570]

OCD is horrific. I once spent an hour (and that’s low on the scale) re-adjusting a hairbrush on a countertop. I was screaming and crying uncontrollably and my mother got me help then. It just wasn’t “right” to me for some reason. I got three steps to the kitchen door before I went back again and again and again a and again. I’ll never forget it. So when people say OCD they really don’t see the destruction of lives!

[@johnwick7583]

Ocd is hell. I spent years taking 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to then 5 hour showers as years went by from 13 to now at 21 and it is consuming my life. I don’t even have a social life 😢

[@TheTrivek42]

My tactic to remembering if I locked the door is to pull the knob as many times as the day of the week, so twice for Tuesday. This way I remember locking the door and I also remember it was today, and I'm not just remembering locking the door yesterday.

[@SteelBlueVision]

It's easier to be just mindful of it and paying attention. The urge to go and check results from not paying attention when locking it. If you pay attention, you can visualize yourself doing it when you get the urge and move on...

[@levprotter1231]

I just hum a tune or sing a little song about locking the door.

[@_thechosen]

What you are describing is forgetfulness that many do have but this is not OCD since OCD person is already aware. Just can't shift his gear.

[@Ultracity6060]

Yep, this is a good tactic. Another is just doing *anything* odd while locking the door. That way it's not part of a forgettable routine. You'll remember locking the door because of the unusual thing you did while locking it.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@thechosen, I've got OCD, well, I've gotten enough treatment and done enough work that it's probably OCPD. But, it's a failure to register, not forgetfulness. I've adopted the strategy with dimmer switches that are impossible to visually check to over turn them until my hand starts to slip. Then they're turned off. I have to accept the possibility that the condo will have a fire because if I let myself slip and do the checks, then I'm going to backslide. Similarly for the locks, I have to do it once really well, and then accept the possibility that it hasn't been locked at all or that the deadbolt only hasn't been locked. That being said, if TheTrivek42 isn't getting intense discomfort and anxiety from the unlocked door, then you're right about it being just forgetfulness.

[@zz55jf]

I can check the door multiple times and still be afraid I forgot. media does a terrible job of portraying ocd. it isn't only the need to clean. it can show its self in many ways. one symptom I had was a constant need to remove imperfections from my body; this lead to sores and scars. it is exhausting to be stuck in thoughts and actions especially when it hurts you.

[@priyameenakshidance]

+ma lama really like what do you mean?

[@supermegaterageek]

I know that I'm late to respond to this, but that sounds a lot like dermatillomania. It's a relatively "new found" disorder and it can sometimes be grouped together with OCD. I have dermatillomania and also cleaning OCD and the thought-process feels similar but the OCD felt more like terror if i didnt perform the behaviour, whilst derma felt like it was building a stronger urge and frustration.

[@tofujelly]

OCA Obsessive compulsive anonymous. Helps me.

[@xO_oxDK]

Oh yeah... that imperfection thing :/ biggest challenge for me as well... loose skin and that stuff on the inside of ones cheeks. Can sometimes put me into a cycle of rinse repeat...

[@Itchy__]

Same here

[@ocdhelp]

Thank you for sharing this. OCD is not talked about nearly enough and most people don't understand what it is really about. Thank you for bringing more attention to it.

[@CS-jp4ue]

I used to have OCD thoughts (intrusive thoughts). Stop trying to control your thoughts. We're all imperfect and you're not the only one with horrible thoughts. Recognize intrusive thoughts as OCD thoughts rather than feeling guilty for having them. Just watch your mind instead of believing you are youre thoughts because you aren't.

[@emmahemsworth9718]

has it gotten better?

[@carlosmendez3221]

That’s powerful.

[@monicak6296]

I'm trying to tell myself that these are just thoughts and for about 5 minutes I can breathe again, I can feel a small sample of freedom...but then...it starts all over again...

[@lilyjr.1384]

Monica K Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

[@Thegooob95]

To the degree that the thoughts are happening, you are them. You’re biological organism isn’t those thoughts, but thinking can’t say it’s not the accumulation of thoughts. I have ocd too, watching thinking happening seems to be the only sane way out, but recognizing that I as the thinker am deceiving myself to say I’m not the total process of (desired and undesired) thinking. I am. I’m also the biological organism and environment. There’s a duality to thinking and an impulse to separate the thinker from the thoughts the thinker doesn’t like. But we are the total process of thinking and I believe to literally perceive that by the rest of your mind is what “frees” us from that process. By perception, not thinking. Otherwise, ocd will go on tricking itself that it’s not itself forever. Looping.

[@gregap8282]

Having OCD is always living in doubt. You check the door, you see the gate from a far and you rationally know it is close, but there's something telling you "No, the door is possibly open and someone is gonna enter your house" and you imagine every possible negative scenario (most of those thoughts are intrusive). That's when you develop patterns to feel safe, in my case I have to check the door 21 times, before I leave or else I'll go crazy with my negative thoughts.

[@JakeYoloxD]

Had OCD since I was maybe 6 probably earlier but I only remember that far back. I took SSRI's, ended up having violent nightmares, hallucinations and self destructive thoughts. I decided to stop getting treated and now use the hyperactive error detection in my job as an architectural draftsman, being able to focus on nitpicky details for hours and fixing problems others would overlook or give up on. I still have negative side effects such as washing my hands in boiling hot water and opening doors with my elbows etc, but I think it's a good trade off. Side note: My room is messy and it annoys me when people think neatness and order is all OCD is.

[@JakeYoloxD]

Laura Croft Mine usually gets worse when I am stressed out for the most part, so having days where you don't do anything will help, works for me anyway, just chill out at home and do something you enjoy =)

[@GurpreetSingh-eo5ky]

Jake Dew have you ever washed the knob with soap , and fear that the water will splash on my hands from the wash basin. Its so horriblr

[@cassandrakasper2973]

Jake Dew That last part though!!! Couldn't have said it any damn better myself. Thank you so much!

[@girlinthesouth850]

Jake Dew I thought I was the only one who opened the door with my elbow... or a part of my shirt.... or my butt... or... lmao

[@mrspumpkin6756]

Hey Jake, You are right OCD is a broad disorder, you can have people who hoard belongings, people who do rituals to decrease their anxiety to people who are clean. My therapist confided to me that Cleaning is one of the less common ocd disorders. I have only experienced it 8 months and it is horrible.

[@bobmalibaliyahmarley1551]

As someone who have struggled with OCD for about 20 years and had experienced alot of different OCD related issues and habits to various degrees, I can say it's like being constantly haunted by your own mind, thoughts and voices (inner voice/inner dialogue) in your head. In basic terms, OCD is your brain lying to yourself, and people without it have no idea how tiresome and straining it is to have to repeat sentences over and over again in your head just to try convince yourself. I've had everything from obsessive need to shower/wash myself for exsessive amounts of time to horrible intrusive thoughts in my mind about things that I didn't want to think about. It's like your mind is stuck on something, and even if you try to move on and focus/think about something else, it will be stuck in the back of your mind, constantly torturing and terrorizing yourself.

[@DonRoyalX]

Yeah, exactly right. Mine is music. The same 10-15 seconds of whatever song my mind has gripped to, repeating over and over for literally my ENTIRE. WAKING. EXISTENCE. Sometimes for days, the same segment of a song, the same piece, over and over, it’s torture man. My life and mind have become pretty dull and uneventful these past couple years, as I can’t think about things. It’s just basic survival, working and eating and paying the bills. I can’t imagine and structure a plan for a higher self, it’s like thinking through the thickest most evil fog.

[@arhoosier1058]

for me everytime i forget it and i could be having no thoughts and it comes right back. and when i do music to help, the thoughts slowly creep into my things to get away from it and ruin that, when my brain goes wait, you don’t care ab this thing anymore? ok let’s worry ab this, it makes me not want to even have thoughts and it’s so debilitating in social situations where i have to mentally argue with my brain, try to listen to people, and think what i am trying to say at the same time

[@tinychapter.]

OCD recovery is about accepting the possibility that everything you fear - especially your deepest fears which drive your OCD obsessions and compulsions - may well come true. It is about accepting that you can never be certain of this. OCD is about an intolerance of uncertainty and to recover you’re going to have to accept that you will never ever know with 100% certainty whether the things you fear will happen or not. Only then can you begin to liberate yourself. This indeed feels uncomfortable at first, but in doing this (through ERP, exposure scripts etc) you actually get at the core mechanism of the condition. Once you accept the uncertainty through ERP (exposure - response prevention), and pair that with a commitment to mindfulness practice as well as a commitment to understanding the nature of the mind and therefore the condition itself, you have a powerful cocktail in liberating yourself from the powerful shackles of this condition.

[@noayariv5902]

thank you for writing this. it's the only one who actually adressess the right treatment.

[@jacksparrow8186]

Well put

[@Glenvill_e]

This is exactly it.

[@Robinsonsamzone]

beautifully put

[@ummati3765]

To me OCD is the world's most toughest disorder, who agrees with me

[@michaeldeglory777]

I agree with you. Its a real torment.

[@floweryunicorn8888]

It's pure hell, your mind becomes the enemy that tortures you until it sees you break to tiny pieces.

[@Potato-mb2wg]

@@floweryunicorn8888 try exposure im wa y calmer now

[@Potato-mb2wg]

@@floweryunicorn8888 i wouldn't say hell id say annoying

[@butterflyphoenix6902]

Nah I would say it is In an extreme battle with severe ADHD but certainly hell is having both wondering if you locked the door both out of OCD compulsion and ADHD forget fullness can leave you going back and forth a hundred times literally I have both ADHD and OCD

[@VallAWE]

I got OCD symptoms after a very stressful period in my life. Though they were light compared to your what many other OCD sufferers go through it was absolutely hellish. I spent about half a year thinking the same thoughts every single day. Luckily, I'm a lot better now. My heart goes out to all OCD sufferers.

[@gabrielacolumna1830]

How did you get better?

[@the46show]

Hoping that it’s the same for me. Currently doing better, but the OCD has just made my life a living hell

[@christinas.3461]

Yes it is very important that people know that no, not everyone has OCD. Most people have traits of ocd, but that is EXTREMELY different than actually having it. OCD is hellish, especially the intrusive thoughts. If people can casually say “oh I’m so ocd” with a little giggle, they most likely are simply experiencing a similar trait and definitely don’t know what real obsessive compulsions are.

[@MrJayjase]

I agree

[@danko5866]

What do you mean by "traits" here?

[@christinas.3461]

@@danko5866 for example someone without ocd could need something to be symmetrical or positioned in an exact way or else they feel uneasy. My psychology professor demonstrated this by writing something “out of place” on the white board and it bothered most of the class. Although this is an experience that some ocd sufferers have (including myself) I was annoyed at the fact that this was his way of explaining the disorder in general, which is obviously inaccurate, not to mention that people with this subtype of ocd experience it constantly in a way that causes actual distress and can be disabling. Most people at some point in their life also experience intrusive thoughts from time to time but these are often just a result of being human and aren’t clinical ocd, however they may mirror the experiences of someone who does have clinical ocd. Because of this overlap non-ocd sufferers might confuse their experiences with the experiences of those with the actual mental illness.

[@warble3675]

I'm 3 months into ocd therapy I'm almost "cured" if your reading this you can do it edit: it’s been 2 years now jesus. My ocd ended up getting so much worse after that. But now it is completely gone. I had to go through absolute hell so reach where I am now. For any of you out there struggling IT IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD CONTROL YOUR MIND. I had a lot of traumatic experiences happen to me and i gave up on my ocd because I didn’t care if I was dead or alive. I also smoked weed a lot during that time. Just push through the anxiety is what I’m trying to say nothing will happen. You just need to drop it cold turkey, the panic attacks and break downs will go away. And once you break the ocd you will have a very strong and appreciative mind I promise you. I believe in all of you

[@apacur]

What sort of therapy exactly?

[@iyaneki4827]

Hey how u got cured?

[@kanikasharma7607]

Howwwwww

[@copycat7657]

Yeah, what kind of therapy? CBT is not working for me and I'm desperate

[@izzamulan1708]

Which therapy?

[@michaelsheridandigital8135]

You're only referring to one type of OCD! There's thousands of different types. I was diagnosed with OCD and have suffered with it for years, but I'm the messiest person you'll meet! Please do a video about other types because you're making it seem as though we're all obsessed with cleaning. I'm sure you had the best of intentions, but OCD is a spectrum, and perpetuating the stereotype that we're all 'neat freaks' is damaging. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment

[@bookishartist2033]

Michael Sheridan May I ask, what are your symptoms? I hope I'm not imposing, but I really wanna understand OCD as much as possible!

[@beyzasonmez9164]

Your comment is so on point! I have also OCD but I don't have an obsession about cleaning etc.

[@MelissaPerez24]

THANK YOU. I have pure-O and I hate it when people think OCD is just about obsessive cleaning..

[@arete7884]

Yeah im very messy aswell got pure 0,counting ocd and touch ocd

[@ThePeruviangirl11]

Ahhh i love you 😭

[@shantahsieh4833]

Have you tried treating yourself with Weedborn CBD products?

[@woonko3300]

but what about pure o the intrusive thoughts?

[@MrTmenzo]

Hate it. It's like my brain trying to control me instead if me controlling "it".

[@shannonbear8807]

Intrusive thoughts are included in obssessions , but yeah he did focus mostly on compulsions.

[@claire_mancmanc3800]

i have pure O. im sick of the media portrayal in germs!

[@mickey1271]

Right, I'm pure o and it's hell.

[@saabirchaudhry2545]

Me same

[@jtfromsomewhere]

your channel is growing quickly. congrats!

[@CleaningTherapy]

My OCD actually makes me unable to clean. Instead of contamination OCD, I have ordering/symmetry OCD, so cleaning actually “messes up” all my perfect angles and positioning of objects. So I started a cleaning channel on KZbin to keep myself accountable. It’s very therapeutic for me and I love helping people. Fight against the thoughts. OCD is essentially a bully. Don’t let the bully have the last word.

[@alexspander7798]

i dont have OCD but when i feel like im stuck in a loop or brain lock when im checking things, i take a picture of them.. helps big time

[@holdencaustic]

OCD is often misrepresented, and the notion that it is untreatable is long debunked- this vid is an excellent one.

[@gymdogs2564]

please upload more often this is the best educational channel on YT

[@johnibambohni]

please do not upload more often and keep the quality high instead. 😉 (it is indeed a really, really good educational channel! 👌 thanks for that! 😎)

[@TheGerogero]

Editing level: poetic.

[@_That_Dude]

I love your curiosity and the videos that address your questions. Keep questioning, keep learning, you the man

[@Koda_Grey]

I’ve always called my OCD breakdowns “loops”. I would get anxious about a thing that needs changing and get stuck repeating the action over and over again. It would be aweful because sometimes it is as if I have no control of myself. In my head I am screaming that I need to stop, yet I can’t. It’s actually a relief when someone helps interrupt the behaviour for me. Even just talking to me can interrupt the cycle. I just get so caught up in what I am doing unconsciously that I can’t stop it on my own.

[@thursdva1i]

I really appreciate that you said that OCD is a term that is used lightheartedly. As someone with OCD, it really annoys me when people use it as an adjective for being neat. I am also a generally tidy person, but I can always clearly distinguish between my OCD behaviours and my type-A personality. It really means a lot when people who don’t have OCD show an understanding of how horrific it is for us.

[@mentalhelp8474]

You comment really made me think about my struggles, so similar. I have actually just done a video on this as its close to my heart. Keep Strong

[@Sidart_227]

OCD action symptoms is fine..but when OCD strikes in thoughts...same thinking over and over...it kills

[@abhiji9012]

Siddharth Kashyap brother control it for 5 min in starting then increase the time ......thank me later

[@th3137]

Help me

[@MeenakshiDutta-cu5vi]

Fight it, be brave. That's how I won. Mix of acute stress disorder and OCD, now almost absent. BTW I'm Indian too

[@iyaneki4827]

@@MeenakshiDutta-cu5vi how u control it bro?

[@MrMrAzad]

Iyan Eki Stop fighting the thoughts, it’s a hopeless fight, you can’t win. The more you resist the harder the thoughts will come back. You want to learn to accept the thoughts. You don’t have to agree with it, but just accept that it can be here present in your mind and you don’t have to make it go away. After accepting it you want to redirect your focus on something else, focus on the colors of the objects around you, focus on your breathe. The point is not to give attention to the thought, treat it as something unimportant! This is truly the way my friend

[@chenlevi493]

Dude, I don't know who you are or what did you study until now or even what is your background, but it doesn't matter. I will say this - I read and listened to "Brain Lock" several times and didn't quit understand it fully until...YOU EXPLAINED IT. Well Done, wherever you are whoever you are and THANK YOU!

[@suelovegren5314]

LOL! I loved the 5 second Obama clip. In general, what I love about these videos is that they're not only educational but entertaining as well. The choice of the scene with the bus driver unable to unstick his gears in that Jim Carrey movie kind of cements an image in your memory of the underlying problem of OCD. Very effective!

[@WhatIveLearned]

Thanks Sue! It took a while to find that specific Obama clip B-)

[@danieljan9344]

I love your english, it's so clear :3 keep it up man i love your channel.

[@danieljan9344]

Btw, my brothers typ 1 diabetes starts to get better and better everyday, since we quit sugar and carbohydrates :) *big thank you*

[@WhatIveLearned]

Wow that's fantastic, glad to hear that!

[@toekneelorenzo2942]

+Daniel Janetzke could ocd cone from being diabetic

[@madisheppard9190]

People who say “I’m so ocd tehe!” Are my least favorite people. Like, thanks so much for belittling my condition which literally pushes me to the point of physical and mental exhaustion every waking moment of my life, just so you can make an overused and downright idiotic joke just because you saw a book or something out of place. SMH

[@michaeldeglory777]

I understand you Maddi. You are not alone. Even I am going through the same thing. You are not alone.

[@larnacodsc]

I discovered your channel 2 days ago and I just finished watching all of your videos. You've become my current favorite channel on Yt. Thank you for your content! Here's hoping you'll keep at it for long.

[@TheDutchPhysicist]

Can you do this for social anxiety / awkwardness?

[@TwentySeventhLetter]

My guess is that you could hypothetically use the power of habit for altering any long-term behavior. If you take a look at Mel Robbins's _5 Second Rule_ (or just search her name on KZbin), you can see this sort of thing applied specifically to anxiety.

[@thebodyimagetherapistyyc]

there are various therapies and tools for both of these, i talk a bit about tips for anxiety and social anxiety on my channel but yes in theory you could do some behavioural stuff like this :)

[@mikasakistler6249]

+

[@charlesblyou5621]

Trinitro phenylnitra mine

[@charlesblyou5621]

Trinitro phenylnitramine

[@Cinirakan]

Thank you for this video. I have OCD and I never really understood what even cause OCD in the brain. It’s nice to get a better understanding of it.

[@miylaam]

My boyfriend has SEVERE OCD. It’s a daily struggle. I hope one day we can get him help. I hate seeing him go through it.

[@homebrandrules]

THANKYOU, YOUR INSIGHT IS A GODSEND! may the universe continue to favour you

[@catsareetuc7022]

1. When you have nearly all the common behaviors of OCD. (Mentally, physically) 2. When OCD has nearly affected you every on single second/minute, and you feel like it’s occupied almost your whole life. 3. When you’re in the middle of gradually getting better from your symptoms, and it suddenly becomes severe again.🙂

[@សុខុមសទ្ធាកែវ]

Try Buspirone

[@timothyjones762]

This is the best description I have ever heard...I send this to friends to explain what is going on with me...brilliant...thank you

[@sikyist]

love your videos. great information, finely edited and packaged. audio is great. clips are always relative, as randomly picked some may appear.

[@menace2societies]

I recommend watching Katie d’Ath OCD on KZbin, she is an OCD Psychiatrist that helps and explain what, why, and how is OCD. We are all in the same boat guys! There is always light in the end of the longest tunnel.

[@nandim1753]

Constant overthinking is the worst thing ever 😪... sometimes I feel like someone wants to take over my whole body

[@mfbias4048]

Beating Pure-O (or atleast getting on top of it) I consider the best and hardest achievement of my life. I didn’t know what it was for nearly a year but the first step was realising was it was a conditional rather than me being a ‘monster’. There were lots of steps but some major steps were taken by finding the 4 step technique in the book ‘brain lock’ (I still use this when it comes back) and exposure therapy as taught by a psychotherapist. I feel deep compassion for anyone suffering, I know the deep blunt and sharp pain, the isolation, fear and terror. The sickening feeling in the stomach as a spike hits and wishing it away until you have no more energy all whist pretending to everyone you encounter nothing is happening. You can repair, you just have to confront it and open up to people (I know this is hard)

[@reubenkane8993]

One of the best explanations of what OCD is like and how it works- past OCD sufferer

[@VikashGupta-xx9mk]

Suffering from ocd for 14 years. It has ruined my life.

[@lekiscool]

I learned the importance of mindfully doing tasks (such as locking the door) at an early age because of my type one diabetes. I'm not 100% perfect at it but it saves a lot of hardship knowing I took the right amount of insulin verses hoping I did. It shows how important it is to do things mindfully.

[@hteshcnub8075]

I've had a dream were i had sex with my cat, Because of OCD ive had uncontrollable thoughts for 3 years straight, If my mom laughs i have to stomp or bang or make a mocking laugh that she can hear, If my mom leaves the bathroom door open i get mad and close it and even slam it, for me ocd is about sexual thoughts and things that annoy me even seeing children triggers my OCD so badly that i have the feeling that something is wrong and i cannot look at them or i might have sexual thoughts witch i hate but are uncontrollable.

[@msl5131]

HTES HCNUB Please seek help

[@alfredocervantes8160]

Same

[@cassanopiano5332]

You are not your thoughts, listen to some Alan Watts and Terrence McKenna

[@SuperHurra]

It's going to be okay. You're stronger than your thoughts, and you can survive one day at a time. Just survive.

[@shahebmiah5262]

I get you bro, just never let into the thoughts and ignore it. Think it in a way it's there but you remind urself it is not you.

[@adencold5738]

Thank you so much for taking this subject seriously and sharing genuinely helpful information about it.

[@cooper197]

“I’m so leukemia” 😂😂

[@jadenhernandez5109]

cooper c when you tweet about catching leukemia

[@PasscodeAdvance]

I'm so cardiac arrest

[@vinodkumaraug]

"I so pale"

[@Sariine436]

@@vinodkumaraug I'm pale too bro. My skin reflects from the light.

[@harleenkaur5687]

@@vinodkumaraug I remember that report 😂😂

[@pedalstomper78]

A great video! As someone diagnosed with OCD, it's helpful knowing the what/how. Thanks for putting this together!

[@lelrica6883]

Lmao, I have obsessive thoughts and I just learned after months of experiencing these thoughts that it was just OCD. I fit perfectly into this singular category of OCD. It made me so relieved to know it was just OCD.

[@ricardojacinto6947]

I've applied some concepts that I've learned through coding in my daily routines and they match so well with the behaviour techniques that you mention in your videos. I like how you make sense on all of it and the way you justify your arguments with great literature and solid evidence. Definitely one of the best channels on youtube. You are making a great service to the community and a huge difference in people's lifes; You definitely are making a huge difference in mine, can't thank you enough. All the best

[@laghibli9127]

I am so happy I found your channel I need to try quitting sugar and some other bad habits that I want to change ...thank you very much for your information that you provide us

[@csifreak101jf]

As someone who has a fear my door wasn't locked, but also can't touch door handles to check that it is locked is pure hell.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

See, this is why all psychiatrists are fucking crazy. You don't need drugs to stop anxiety disorders. Just rational thought and KZbin videos.

[@saikrishna5278]

nice work u really gathered all the relevant information with no BS and explained amazing things in a class manner.... one of the simply best presentations on OCD in KZbin

[@daniel572]

As effective as behavior therapy can be, it fails to acknowledge the cognitive aspects of ocd. As do most of the theories that exclusively focus on brain activity. Ocd won't happen if people don't have an inadequate appraisal of themselves as vulnerable/responsible (depending on whether obsessions are more related to illness or to causing harm/disaster), of certain stimulus as extremely dangerous, of one's ability to cope as very limited, and of the consequences of not performing the compulsion as catastrophic. So, behavior therapy targets only a part of ocd, and most notably leaves out obsessions altogether. What often happens is that not including a cognitive component in behavior therapy makes relapse a lot more likely.

[@AmberAmber]

daniel572 Sad but true. I did great after exposure aversion therapy - *until* I had a really awful life experience & everything came back... excessively so. Frustrating. :/

[@KraHicks]

Have you heard of cognitive behaviour therapy? I have OCD and was referred for that last year. It mainly focused on proving that we don't have control over for the nature or frequency of our thoughts, and we're not responsible for intrusive/unwanted thoughts. Detached mindfulness was a technique we practiced, as well as exposure & response prevention therapy. From what I understand, this kind of tailored CBT is the recommended therapy for patients with OCD. Parts of it were very very challenging, but it changed the way I think about what I think. It did me a lot of good.

[@AmberAmber]

Ciara Hicks I'm personally fascinated! I have TS & OCD & I did exposure aversion - which worked til my life took a crap - and it ALL came back with a vengeance. Your comment gave me some hope :) TY :D

[@KraHicks]

Elektric Skeptic I know it wasn't that long ago, but I've not had any sort of relapse up until this point and I have experienced quite extreme stress. I would definitely look into it! :) Last autumn I started to do a DBT course, and that's been brilliant too. It's different to CBT and focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Everyone can benefit from DBT, but it helped with my anxiety and motivation a great deal. It took me years after being diagnosed to find the right sort of help, I know how frustrating that time can be. Best of luck!

[@AmberAmber]

Ciara Hicks Thank you so very much - I'm DEFINITELY looking into it! :D xo (^_^)

[@bestintentions6089]

best channel shows complex nature of topics with facts. tackling complex topics in such clear way.

[@arete7884]

To fix yourself you must dissolve trauma , that stuck energy within body and subconscious that forces you to do compulsions to cope . There are many approaches to this whether traditional science,occult, drugs, i recommend meditation daily and mindfulness practice whole day.

[@HowTo-lq9qo]

Don't you dare say u have OCD just cause u wash ur hands twice or if u are tidy. OCD aint a joke, its miserable, its disturbing when ur life's a mess and u CANNOT control ur actions, when u know all things u are doing is irrelavant and illogical still u can do nothing but do it . There are times when i closed the door 100 or even more times, when i have touched same object until i got satisfaction, when i have switched off the light until i get satisfaction and once even got electric shock by doing that, when u step on a crack and u have to go all the way back to the start, when u are standing in middle of the road for half an hour when u are running late but u stand there cause ur mind tells U HAVE TO, when the moment u wake up u have to follow a certain routine, when u have to type and retype some sentence just cause it doesnot feel right, when u wash ur hands 6 times every morning and night or sometimes until it bleeds. OCD is when u can't stop urself even when u are bullied by ur classmates just cause of ur repetitive actions, when strangers laugh at ur actions, when people around u judge and tell u to stop such nuisance and blame u for acting lunatic. OCD is when u have a monster in ur mind and u HAVE to obey it. When ur mind is filled with garbage thoughts and fear for ur family's and ur welfare. It may sound strange to people but the things i have faced due to OCD are plenty, I can't even explain here. It's sad when ur own family tells u to stop acting up and tells u its not a disorder and its easy to stop OCD. When ur OCD comes between ur life and u can do nothing but obey it, that's OCD. And cherry on top i also have social anxiety which makes it even worse. I reallllllyyyyyy WANT TO BE A NORMAL PERSON. Hope all this issue will end soon.

[@MrAmisto]

Why don't you say fear once in this video, when it is all about fear?

[@mylcah]

agreed

[@dipenentertains5876]

Agree

[@shahebmiah5262]

Definetley agree

[@beautyfrompainxxx]

Very true. My OCD is all extreme fear and obsessive ruminating thoughts. It’s getting hard to leave the house or be awake because I’m conscious of my fear.

[@Maryam7580]

OCD doesn’t have to be physical compulsions like cleaning. I was diagnosed with OCD and it’s also obsessive thinking, and fear as well.

[@Yoshi-fj8qh]

Yes there are different types of OCD

[@realqwanthadon5220]

You are beautiful !!!!!!!!! Just had to tell you when I seen your picture and I agree obsessive thinking is terrible and the worse 😭

[@squamish4244]

What has worked for me: -neurofeedback -photobiomodulation -transcranial electromagnetic simulation

[@picklesthewise]

I don't have OCD, but I have been diagnosed with isolated symptoms in the past - trichotillomania was a big one for a couple years as a teen - and believe me, it is absolute hell. I still have something of an obsessive personality type, but it's not so much as other, actual OCD conditions I've seen. My heart goes out to them 💔

[@XGoken]

I think my OCD is more about when I try elaborating my thoughts or explaining something, especially when taking notes for school or trying to do homework assignments. But I do have problems with germs and cleanliness, but it’s mainly with sinks. I also can’t stand walking on the ground at water parks with my bare feet, as I feel the ground can be extremely disgusting and littered with odd marks or dark things I’m not sure of what they could be

[@kaylaempson5788]

Every time I watch a video from this channel, I become frustrated because you are researching all the things I am researching. Behavioral neuroscience is my life! You are living my dream of educating about behavior and the brain.

[@HurdalkCini]

when you check your phone pocket and it s empty, orbital cortex explodes.

[@CurrDawg]

I have always described my OCD as Brain Lock and this is the first time I've seen/heard anyone else use that term.

[@TheAutumnxRose]

I'm not sure that someone who is not a medical professional nor suffered from OCD should be attempting to explain it. I appreciate the effort, but for me, personally, it's difficult to listen to someone that can't fully relate to my situation.

[@David-yw3os]

nickys34 do you have ocd??

[@NoviceEmber]

I disagree. I found this very helpful. The idea that someone who hasn't personally experienced something has no useful thoughts, or can do no useful work, on it, is incorrect. It isn't how people work. The collective imagination and reason is far more powerful than a person's experience. Kudos to the fellow who put the video together.

[@hebneh]

I remember seeing a man in a parking lot walking repeatedly around his car and touching it in certain places over and over. I was puzzled, but then figured out he probably had OCD, and when he left his car he probably had to enact a certain ritual each time, most likely to be positive it was locked.

[@MelissaPerez24]

But what happens when you suffer from pure-O OCD? How do you get rid of unwanted thoughts? It's terrible.

[@ElizabethGonzalez-jt7ns]

too many queens ... I try to listen to music, go out with my friends, work... continue to do what I'm passionate about. It's hard. Very hard. I have pure o as well. Today it got to a point where I almost broke up with my boyfriend. It's hard for me to keep this secret from him... but there's no way in hell I'm going into detail about my ocd with him.

[@emmahemsworth9718]

Elizabeth Gonzalez I have hocd it’s so so difficult

[@PringlesOriginal445]

It's so horrible, Its making me not even want to live :(

[@Norwheon]

POCD is the worst one a person can suffer from... it makes life become literal hell.

[@Alexandra-xc5dy]

Boran Ucdere ROCD is hell when you are in relationships..

[@ChronoSerum]

What I've Learned, you are a smart person and you read all these books. I have OCD and what you said is spot on. I've finally come close to reducing and maybe even regulate my OCD. I actually had to find out the hard way what is going on. This is through tests. I noticed that when an uncomfortable notion or thought happened and I don't do the rituals to "do something" I still feel stressed out. After a while it subsides, because there was no threat to begin with. So the threat isn't there causing any actual problems or chaos. From this I assumed that there was an over firing in the brain when it came to whatever triggers the OCD. This is somewhat similar to what you were talking about where the brain has over activity in OCD patients. This took me a lot longer than you. I should have researched it lol. But yea, the book Brain Lock you have on your video has a really good treatment thing. I did something similar to that in behavior changes. Just simply not do the rituals and just deal with the stress. The other recommendation, like the sugar thing, sounds good too. An attempt to reduce the firing by "breaking the chain" and do something else.

[@biggiesmalls794]

can you do a video like this on ADHD

[@Callaxes]

Hi WIL Your videos have been immensely helpful for me and because of them I've managed to make some big life changes. Although I already knew about the things you talked about so far, your videos have really helped me to visualize what happens in body and more importantly in my mind when I do something detrimental. This visualization is perhaps the most important thing I got from your videos and it's what has helped me the most. I would love to see you do a video about stress and anxiety and how to respond to stressful triggers, since I feel that having a analytical view of what goes on inside me when I'm stressed could really help me and others detach ourselves from the emotion of the moment and develop a response to it. Thank you again for doing these videos, I cant tell you how much they've helped me!

[@ratiphoenix3479]

I've liked this video 77 times because of my OCD

[@whiteflag563]

Rati Phoenix 😂😂 u r a professional ocd patient

[@adig346]

You need to do it 3 times more to close it

[@worldpeace5934]

I locked my car but it's definitely unlocked somehow in my mind. I need a new car again.

[@IMissMrKitty]

Thank you for such an informational video on OCD! I hate it when people make comparisons when they really don't have it! >=\ Dealing with it is sheer hell. I've been working on mine and some days it comes back full force, but I'm still fighting it! One day at a time!

great video! Also, your videos helped me stop eating (non natural)sugar!! tanks alot! Lost 5kg since i started.

[@areshazen]

This video is amazing. You articulate this amazingly. You are a genius, but most importantly very helpful. I am sure this video is helpful to many others, not just me. Thank you. I am a sad and happy at the same time now. I want to hug you. Thank you so much. I feel like this technique, tho simple, if I can be disciplined and focused about it, it may help me, tho at the same time, it is depressing, because I am already 40 and I never was enlightened to this information before so now I do not know if it is even worth trying at this point. So now I am happily depressed knowing that there was something that could have helped my anxiety and “brain lock”, but feel it is to late to put in the effort because this is who I am now , and OCD/anxiety has already done so much damage to my ambition and motivation life and to be successful. So many missed opportunities, so many give ups. So many not bothering. All do to OCD and anxiety ruling my life, making everything difficult, turning the simplest tasks into a major project. I truly feel I could have been so much more in life. But I have been less than mediocre due to this “disability”. Oh well, at least this video explains the ‘brain lock’ issue so eloquently. I can now put into words what I have been suffering from all these years, at least that gives me a bit of comfort. Thank you.

[@queenamo7624]

I tell myself over and over to not worry about that “mistake” yet I still have to fix it to go on with my day:)

[@e-towncuber5522]

5:58 that’s how i get new cumpulsions

[@balavikram6585]

Exactly new one dead Lock😓

[@jonashawwa4736]

I was officially diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) when I was 6 years of age, along with Aspergers Syndrom (AS).👦🏻 I’ve had all the symptoms throughout my life (as far as I’m able to tell, since the diagnoses); checking if the door and bike was locked, irrational rituals, obsessions (thoughts that recurred and persisted despite my effort to ignore or confront them), etc. ...⚡️🧠⚡️ I’ve now managed to develop out of my compulsions, but my obsessions will (most probably) always be a part of my life and especially when I’m under academic, carrier-related and other kinds of pressures.💥 For other people I may look relatively normal in behavior both relaxed and during pressure, but my brain is literally on “overwork” day in and day out because of the obsessions.⚡️🧠⚡️ I’m usually referring to myself as: “A High-functioning Obsessive-Compulsive Aspie”.🤗

[@11UncleBooker22]

I think I left a small coffee making on in my house today. All day I've had to push the worry of burning down the house away. I've had OCD for 45 of my 50 years and only recognized it in the last 23 years. No matter the situation I always seem to think I forgot some vital action that may become disastrous if I don't remedy it quickly.

[@laurenpaterson3475]

John Booker's Full spectrum I always worry that hot water on

[@ominousplatypus380]

While working as a security guard I would often compulsively check that I had remembered to lock all the doors and wasted a lot of time doing this. Not once had I actually forgot to lock a door. My own method of overcoming this was very similar to the one described at 6:30 I would make it a point to be extra mindful when locking them for the first time and even saying in my head "ok, this door is locked" or something to that effect.

[@gsilcoful]

Nice work.

[@Ophiuchus97]

I highly believe all of us to some extent it may not be severe, have mood disruption (manic depression) anxiety, adhd, add, ptsd, addictions to stimuli and habits and ODC. I have severe anxiety and this goes beautifully with my ocd. Me meditating helps a ton. You basically think about what you think and if it’s negative or not worth thinking it’s like you switch your mind to something else worthy. Similar to the professors technique. It all really comes together end of the day. The whole mental/physical/emotional health. Changing your thoughts (behavioral) will certainly change the outcome of situations. We must adapt!

[@osculocentric]

My failures and rationalism helped me cure my OCD. The triggers for my OCD were always my fear of loosing as I have been very competitive as a kid. I used to feel that doing things and rituals in a certain way would help me please something so that I would win or get best marks in exams. These rituals would take a lot of my time, for example washing pen before studying, walking in a certain pattern on tiles, touching all parts of room I was in before settling down, etc.... However, even after all these rituals I realized there are far smarter people than me and dont necessarily follow the rituals I follow. Apart from that I was getting trained in Science and questioned myself that all these rituals have no scientific basis. I believe in rational thinking and yet follow all the superstitious beliefs. I slowly changed my behaviour. It was tough rebelling against my own urges. Though now I have almost conquered over my OCDs. I still have somethings left, yet they are very minor, to create trouble in my daily life.

[@mcmcmify]

Please do a video explaining Lacanian psychoanalysis using clips from The Simpsons.