How to Handle Intrusive Thoughts (Try this)

Summary

In this insightful video, therapist Natasha Daniels addresses the common struggle with intrusive thoughts, particularly in the context of OCD. She explains that while everyone experiences these thoughts, individuals with OCD have difficulty dismissing them, leading to compulsive behaviors that exacerbate the condition. Daniels illustrates the concept using Chinese handcuffs as a metaphor for the trap of intrusive thoughts and suggests acceptance and resistance as strategies to break free. The video offers practical advice on managing anxiety and OCD, encouraging viewers to find their own methods of coping and to subscribe for more helpful content.

Takeaways

• 😣 Intrusive thoughts are a common issue, often central to many cases of OCD.
• 🧠 Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts, but those with OCD struggle to dismiss them easily.
• 🔄 The difference for individuals with OCD is the inability to filter out disturbing thoughts, leading to a cycle of distress and compulsion.
• 🎣 The analogy of fishing is used to illustrate the concept of 'taking the bait' of intrusive thoughts, which fuels OCD.
• 🚫 The key to managing intrusive thoughts is controlling the panic and subsequent behavior, not the thoughts themselves.
• 🤔 The video suggests that intrusive thoughts are upsetting and can lead to a sense of danger or self-doubt.
• 🤲 The 'Chinese handcuffs' analogy is used to demonstrate how resistance to intrusive thoughts can paradoxically increase their grip.
• 💭 Acceptance of intrusive thoughts is presented as a method to loosen their hold, by not giving them power or attention.
• 🤹‍♂️ Pushing back against OCD, including mocking or being sarcastic, can help to disarm its power.
• 🔄 The process of accepting and then dismissing intrusive thoughts can be challenging but is a part of overcoming OCD.
• 📚 The speaker offers further resources, including playlists on anxiety and OCD, for those seeking more information.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Natasha Daniels?

The main topic of the video is intrusive thoughts, particularly how they relate to anxiety and OCD.

Who is Natasha Daniels in the context of the video?

Natasha Daniels is a therapist who creates videos to help people dealing with anxiety or OCD.

What does Natasha Daniels suggest is the number one topic in her practice?

Natasha Daniels suggests that intrusive thoughts are the number one topic in her practice.

What is the difference between most people and those with OCD when it comes to intrusive thoughts?

Most people can dismiss intrusive thoughts quickly, whereas individuals with OCD struggle to do so, often leading to compulsive behaviors.

What does Natasha Daniels use to illustrate the concept of intrusive thoughts and OCD in her video?

Natasha Daniels uses the analogy of fishing, where intrusive thoughts are the bait and compulsions are the stake that grows OCD.

What is the key to dealing with intrusive thoughts according to Natasha Daniels?

The key to dealing with intrusive thoughts is controlling the panic that comes with them, as it's the behavior after the thought that grows OCD.

What does Natasha Daniels compare intrusive thoughts to in her office?

Natasha Daniels compares intrusive thoughts to Chinese handcuffs, which tighten the more one struggles against them.

What is the suggested method to break free from the grip of intrusive thoughts and OCD?

The suggested method is to accept the intrusive thoughts, not resist them, and to push back against OCD by mocking or agreeing with it sarcastically.

What does Natasha Daniels recommend doing with intrusive thoughts to reduce their power?

Natasha Daniels recommends accepting the thoughts, mocking them, and not giving them more time or attention, thus reducing their power.

How often does Natasha Daniels release new videos on her channel?

Natasha Daniels releases new videos every Thursday.

What is the final piece of advice Natasha Daniels gives to her viewers in the video?

Natasha Daniels advises viewers to find the sparkle in everything they do and to look forward to her next video.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Understanding Intrusive Thoughts and OCD

In this segment, Natasha Daniels, a therapist, introduces the topic of intrusive thoughts and their connection to anxiety and OCD. She explains that intrusive thoughts are common but can be particularly distressing for those with OCD, as they struggle to dismiss them. The video aims to address how intrusive thoughts can make individuals question their character or safety and how different people experience different 'flavors' of these thoughts. Daniels uses the analogy of fishing to describe the bait-and-hook nature of intrusive thoughts and compulsions in OCD, emphasizing the importance of not taking the bait of intrusive thoughts to prevent the growth of OCD. She also introduces a physical demonstration using Chinese handcuffs to illustrate the trap of intrusive thoughts and the need to accept them rather than resist, which can tighten the grip of OCD.

05:01

🔄 Overcoming Intrusive Thoughts by Challenging OCD

The second paragraph continues the discussion on intrusive thoughts, focusing on strategies to overcome them. Daniels suggests that the key to dealing with these thoughts is controlling the panic they induce, as it is the subsequent behavior, not the thought itself, that exacerbates OCD. She encourages viewers to accept intrusive thoughts and not to resist them, using humor and sarcasm as tools to disarm their power. By flipping the script and putting OCD on the defensive, individuals can take control and reduce the anxiety associated with intrusive thoughts. Daniels wraps up by inviting viewers to explore more of her content on anxiety and OCD, reminding them to subscribe and turn on notifications for new video releases every Thursday.

Keywords

💡Intrusive thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts that cause distress or anxiety. They are a central theme in the video, as they are the primary concern for individuals with OCD and anxiety. The script discusses how most people experience these thoughts but those with OCD struggle to dismiss them, leading to a cycle of distress and compulsive behaviors.

💡OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The video emphasizes OCD as the driving force behind intrusive thoughts, where the disorder amplifies the impact of these thoughts and the distress they cause.

💡Therapist

A therapist is a professional who provides treatment and support for individuals with mental health conditions. Natasha Daniels, the speaker in the video, identifies herself as a therapist, which establishes her authority and expertise in discussing the topic of intrusive thoughts and OCD.

💡Teletherapy

Teletherapy refers to the delivery of therapy services remotely using telecommunications technology. The video mentions 'no cd' as a provider of teletherapy, indicating a modern approach to mental health treatment that can reach individuals across the country.

💡Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed in response to an obsession. In the context of the video, compulsions are described as actions that individuals with OCD engage in to alleviate the anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts, thus perpetuating the cycle of OCD.

💡Bait

In the video, 'bait' is used metaphorically to represent intrusive thoughts. Just as a fish is attracted to bait, individuals with OCD may be drawn into the trap of engaging with these thoughts, which can lead to compulsive behaviors.

💡Panic

Panic is an intense feeling of fear or anxiety. The script discusses controlling the panic that comes with intrusive thoughts as a key strategy in managing OCD, highlighting the emotional response that needs to be addressed alongside the thoughts themselves.

💡Acceptance

Acceptance in the context of the video refers to acknowledging and embracing intrusive thoughts without acting on them or letting them dictate one's behavior. It is presented as a method to break free from the cycle of OCD by not resisting the thoughts, thus reducing their power.

💡Chinese handcuffs

Chinese handcuffs, also known as 'Chinese finger traps,' are a toy that tightens when pulled, making it difficult to remove one's fingers. In the script, they serve as a physical analogy for the experience of intrusive thoughts and OCD, illustrating how resistance can intensify the problem.

💡Sarcasm

Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony used to mock or convey contempt. The video suggests using sarcasm as a coping mechanism against OCD, by agreeing with intrusive thoughts in a mocking manner, which can help to diminish their influence.

💡Flipping the script

Flipping the script is a colloquial term meaning to change the direction or control of a situation. In the context of the video, it refers to taking an active role in confronting OCD by challenging its intrusive thoughts, thus shifting the power dynamic.

Highlights

Intrusive thoughts are a common struggle, particularly in anxiety and OCD.

OCD often revolves around intrusive thoughts, images, and feelings.

Most people experience intrusive thoughts but can easily dismiss them.

Individuals with OCD struggle to dismiss intrusive thoughts, leading to distress.

Compulsions in response to intrusive thoughts can fuel and worsen OCD.

The key to managing intrusive thoughts is controlling the panic they induce.

Chinese handcuffs serve as a physical metaphor for the trap of intrusive thoughts.

Accepting intrusive thoughts can help release their grip on individuals.

Pushing back on OCD by accepting and mocking intrusive thoughts can disarm their power.

The video provides practical advice on how to deal with intrusive thoughts in the context of OCD.

Different people have different 'flavors' of intrusive thoughts, but the approach to managing them is similar.

The video emphasizes the importance of not giving intrusive thoughts more time or attention than they deserve.

The presenter, Natasha Daniels, is a therapist who specializes in anxiety and OCD.

The episode is sponsored by 'no cd', a teletherapy service available nationwide.

The video is part of a series on anxiety and OCD, with new videos released every Thursday.

Viewers are encouraged to subscribe and turn on notifications for new content.

The video concludes with a reminder to find the sparkle in everything and a promise to talk next week.

Transcripts

do you struggle with really annoying and

upsetting intrusive thoughts we're going

to talk all about it stay tuned that's

what's up next hi my name is Natasha

Daniels I'm a therapist to make videos

for people with anxiety or OCD and this

episode is brought to you by no cd

providing teletherapy across the country

i want to talk to you about intrusive

thoughts because so many people struggle

with intrusive thoughts it's probably

the number one topic in my practice it's

really what drives most of OCD

there's also intrusive images intrusive

feelings but I want to talk to you about

those intrusive thoughts those thoughts

that make you feel like a bad person or

make you question your safety it will be

different for each person

because OCD has a zillion different

flavors and everyone's flavor can be

different so one person might worry that

they're a bad person another person

might worry about their safety another

person might worried they're gonna harm

other people everyone's gonna be

different but flavors of ice cream are

still ice cream and intrusive thoughts

are still intrusive thoughts in fact the

majority of everybody in this world has

intrusive thoughts but the difference is

those people are able to dismiss them

they're able to have a thought that was

disturbing and released the thought

within a few seconds sometimes not even

being aware that they're having those

thoughts but when you have OCD you have

a thought ooh that's disturbing the

filter is not working that is disturbing

what's that thought oh my gosh let me

take it over here let me look at it

whoa that's really upsetting let's talk

about this thought am i that person or

is it that bad or is it dangerous what

can I do to prevent this all those

intrusive thoughts right and then it's

like oh I have an idea how about a

little bit compulsion how about you

check or how about you debate or how

about you think about this those are all

the things that fuel your OCD and make

it bigger the compulsion is the stake it

grows your OCD the intrusive thought is

the bait so don't take the bait think

about fishing right it's out there it's

got a little worm on it intrusive

thought now do you want to take the bait

or do you want to leave the bait so

everybody has those thoughts but they

are able to dismiss them

and so the key to dealing with intrusive

thoughts is controlling the panic that

comes with it

because it's not the thought it's the

behavior that comes after the thought

that really grows the OCD now easier

said than done I totally get that those

intrusive thoughts are upsetting you're

like etosha but they're so upsetting

that's not my thought that's not me or I

could get hurt or I could hurt somebody

else right different for each person but

similar so I want to show you that Oh

CDs favourite weapon it's like Chinese

handcuffs did you ever play with these

we used to when we were little and they

kind of freaked people out in my office

because they can't get their fingers out

and they really start to panic so these

are not really good for my office but I

have them in my office because they

really are a good way to show you

physically what an intrusive thought

does so here's a thought here's OCD

hello touch me right I mean so CDs like

oh my gosh you are such a bad person I'm

just gonna use that as an example

it'll be different for you you're like

me doing this it might be oh my gosh

that's so bad or that's so dirty or

that's so uneven or it might be an

intrusive thought that says oh my gosh

you're gonna hurt someone it will be

different right but it doesn't matter

because it's still an intrusive thought

that's tempting you come on

fight with me fight with me right and

this is what we do I'm not that or it's

not dangerous or it's not gonna harm my

family and now we're pulling and we're

fighting and we're resisting have you

ever had these strange handcuffs what

happens is the more I pull these are

have seen better days but the more I

pull the tighter the grip the tighter

the OCD has on me and so the way to get

out of this trap is to accept those

intrusive thoughts because the thought

is just a thought I thought doesn't make

you right and doubt and uncertainty are

part of our life we have to accept it

and so we say yeah I'm a horrible person

I'm gonna totally do that in fact I'm

gonna do it tomorrow I'm gonna do it

today

uh-uh what's happening here I'm pushing

in I'm not resisting I'm actually

agreeing with my OCD and it's releasing

me because it's a trap same thing

oh it's dirty oh yeah it's so dirty I'm

gonna get like all these diseases my

life is over right

my fingers released it's easier said

than done I totally get that but when

you can push back on OCD except that

it's an OCD thought and I like even

better to kind of push it back now that

takes some time some people might just

be in the acceptance phase if you know I

accept that I'm having this thought I'm

gonna go do something else that I enjoy

and I'm not gonna give this thought any

more of my time or attention because I

value doing this instead and that's a

great approach I'm also kind of a push

it back kind of person and I want to

push like I want to push my anxiety back

and I'm sure you want to push your OCD

back and so sometimes just mocking it

agreeing with it being sarcastic with it

your OCD doesn't know what to do with

that it's like whoa I'm the one on the

attack here not you you're on the

defense I'm on the offense why are we

flipping this around and you want to do

that you want to flip OCD on its head

and be like whoa we don't want that to

happen why are you saying that and then

the thought loses all of its power

because you're agreeing with it you're

mocking it and then you can get out of

the trap that it wants you to partake in

so I hope you find this video helpful

I have tons more of anxiety and OCD

videos to check out I have playlists on

anxiety and on OCD don't forget to hit

subscribe and hit notifications so that

you get notified as soon as I make a new

video I make new videos every Thursday

don't forget to find the sparkle and

everything to do and I'll talk to you

again next week

take care