How To Stop Intrusive And Obsessive Thoughts

In this video, author and depression counselor Douglas Bloch shares four tips on how you can respond to unwanted thoughts and obsessions.

[はいラブサンリオ]

Hello friend
Yes, that’s you
You scrolling in the comments
Hello
Just take a deep breath
Everything’s ok
Right now
In this moment
Everything is ok
In this moment
You are safe
Upsetting thoughts don’t define
Who you are
They don’t make you
A bad person
You might not be able
To entirely stop them
But you can tame them
You are special
You are gifted
You’ll get better
You are beautiful
You are loved
I love you
Peace my friend

[williambullard]

i used to get a lot of intrusive thoughts. i learned to stop reacting to them emotionally and when i got them i replaced the thought with "I Love You". this helped me a lot. i rarely get the thoughts now.

[zainabhassan]

Sometimes my thoughts really hurt me and make me believe that I’m a horrible person not worthy of love, and some kind of hypocrite

[jessicalam]

I’ve been having intrusive thoughts because of quarantine and from watching so much true crime & scary stuff that triggered it. This video was so helpful, I kept thinking I was the only one and felt crazy for having these thoughts but now I know I’m not alone and now an awful person my mind makes me out to be. Thank you!

[williama]

I have OCD, with violent, sexual, blasphemous intrusive thoughts. which led to a period of depersonalisation, in recovery now as result of Exposure Response Prevention therapy (and 20mg of Fluoxetine). Honestly I tried all of those tips but they only thing that worked for me was to embrace the thoughts head on, non resistance by giving them total approval and acceptance which turned off the fight or flight switch in my brain every time a thought popped up, which allowed the thoughts no matter how disturbing to just float in and out with ease and non attachment and allowed me to see the truth that I don't want to hurt anyone, and just because you have dark thoughts doesn't mean you are a dark person.

[Nurse_mici]

To everyone here, I love you all..you are not alone..we are in this together..doesn’t matter who u are or where u are from stay on the path to get to where you need to be ♥️

[whoami]

1. Mindfulness Meditation
2. Replace the unwanted thought
3. Ask yourself: Is this true
4. Distract yourself from the unwanted thought

[Skyehye]

I hate my intrusive thoughts they make me think about stuff that make me feel nauseated and upset on a daily basis and it really bothers me

[trevforesta]

I have dealt with obsessive, intrusive thoughts ever since I was a child. My thoughts would torture me and I would have no recourse, until I eventually discovered the thought substitution method on my own. I was surprised to see in this video that I even used the same word, I would say "Cancel!" and picture a red "X". I am still using it to this day and it is so ingrained a habit in me that for the most part I no longer suffer from the dreadful thoughts, I just have slight impulses of anxiety, which I have been getting better and better at tucking away.

[writingtruthinwisdom]

I am a Christian that is dealing w thoughts of hating the God I love and serve daily...it is a nightmare...but thank you for addressing these problems as they effect all of us in some way

[bignoknow]

Struggling daily with this and was happy to watch and learn. 👍🏼

[bridgetcox]

I have so many intrusive thoughts when I try to sleep I end up having a panic attack and can't get to sleep

[jaytrivedi]

The answer-
For anyone reading this, I want to tell you I have suffered from every kind of intrusive thought that you can imagine but let me tell you the solution is much easier than what our mind makes it look like.
The simple fact of this world is that thoughts cannot be controlled and our over sensitive brains are now NOT OKAY with the idea of “bad” thoughts. But the idea of them being bad and us pushing them away is what is keeping them alive. So now what do we do? Just observe them. Just simply observe them. Read the book the Power Of Now if you want some clarity regarding the idea of it but its that simple. The tags of good and bad have become so strong in your mind that now you cannot handle certain thoughts. Its really simple. Dont worry. Godspeed

[Jboxing]

The best way to help yourself get rid of these thoughts is to do something active like hangout with family or friends or go outside and get some fresh air or play a game or maybe do some meditation. Anyone who reads this you are not a bad person or anything like that, your thoughts don’t affect who you are and I hope for anyone who is going through this, I hope you guys get better and stay safe!

[upstatenewyork]

I appreciate this as my negative thoughts send me into a deep spiral of wishing i was dead

[graves]

Why couldn't the bicycle keep up with the car? It was two tired.

[B_R_A_N_D_Y]

This is really helpful. I cant believe how many other people have the same problems as me

[PossibleBat]

Because of these thoughts I struggle with feeling like less of a worthy human being...

[daviddodds]

The more you resist unwanted thoughts, the more they will persist.

[dumpsterdivediy]

I am an ocd sufferer for most of my life, almost as far back as I can remember, this video was a breath of fresh air! Who cares about the negative intrusive thoughts? They aren't my identity, they're not my desire. I know who I am, I'm a child of God, a good Christian Catholic