Summary
Pandora Morris shares her personal experiences with intrusive thoughts, emphasizing that these thoughts affect everyone, not just those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She recounts her struggles from childhood, where she believed that being near a fat person would somehow make her fat, and how these thoughts spiraled into severe anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Morris highlights the importance of recognizing intrusive thoughts for what they are and not engaging with them, as doing so can lead to a cycle of anxiety and compulsions.
Morris offers practical strategies for managing intrusive thoughts, including naming them, assessing their themes, and avoiding the urge to seek reassurance. She explains that intrusive thoughts often connect to what individuals care about most, making them feel more real and urgent. By stepping back and treating these thoughts as background noise rather than engaging with them, individuals can reduce their power. She encourages listeners to confront their fears and practice opposite actions to recalibrate their responses to intrusive thoughts, ultimately promoting a healthier mindset.
Show Notes
Do you ever get stuck in a spiral of intrusive thoughts and can’t step away from them, even when you know they aren’t true? In this solo episode of Seen, I’m sharing what more than 25 years of living with severe OCD has taught me about handling intrusive thoughts. I’m not a therapist, and I’m not claiming to be an expert. These are the tools that have helped me most, and I hope they help you too. Almost everyone has intrusive thoughts, whether or not they have OCD. The thoughts themselves aren’t the problem. What matters is what we do with them. I talk openly about my own experience: the bedtime prayers I felt I had to repeat for hours as a child, the fear that I’d done something terrible, the contamination fears, and the all-or-nothing thoughts I still have around food and exercise. Join the community: 💌 Substack: Subscribe to Pandora's newsletter for honest reflections and thoughtful conversations about mental health, wellbeing, and life.→ https://substack.com/@seenwithpandora 🎧 Never miss an episode of SEEN! Listen to the podcast anytime, anywhere. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ku2D90pNwBLM17HvLxlB1?si=fbcad6ff3bb24bfa Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/seen-with-pandora-morris/id1649515453 ABOUT SEEN Hosted by Pandora Morris, Seen is a podcast featuring bold, brave, and honest conversations about mental health, wellbeing, relationships, and the experiences that shape our lives. Through personal stories and expert insights, Seen creates space for understanding, connection, and healing. Connect with Pandora Morris 🌐 Website: https://www.seenwithpandoramorris.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seenwithpandora/💛 Recommended Resources: Explore Pandora's collection of mental health and wellbeing resources for additional guidance and support.→ https://www.seenwithpandoramorris.com/resources
More from Seen with Pandora Morris
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In this Seen Session, I’m joined by Emma Louise Boynton to explore why we can feel disconnected from our bodies, how shame and self-criticism get in the way of pleasure, and the small everyday shifts that can help us feel more like ourselves again. Connect with Pandora Morris 💌 Substack: Subscribe to Pandora's newsletter for honest reflections and thoughtful conversations about mental health, wellbeing, and life. → https://substack.com/@seenwithpandora 🎧 Never miss an episode of SEEN! Listen to the podcast anytime, anywhere. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ku2D90pNwBLM17HvLxlB1?si=fbcad6ff3bb24bfa Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/seen-with-pandora-morris/id1649515453 Connect with Pandora Morris🌐 Website: https://www.seenwithpandoramorris.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seenwithpandora/ 💛 Recommended Resources: Explore Pandora's collection of mental health and wellbeing resources for additional guidance and support. → https://www.seenwithpandoramorris.com/resources