Stopping Obsessive Thoughts with Bipolar Disorder

About this episode

Obsessive thoughts and chronic worry can make it difficult to relax, sleep, enjoy relationships, or even stay present in everyday life. But what does it actually mean when someone says they’re having “obsessive thoughts,” and what can they do to break the cycle? In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington explore the difference between everyday worry, excessive worry, and intrusive thoughts — and why that distinction matters when seeking help and choosing coping skills. Together, they share practical strategies for getting out of the “roundabout of worry,” including coping skills like cognitive diffusion, reframing catastrophic thoughts, and thought postponement. Gabe also explains how he has used these strategies in his own life and how they helped him lead a more well-balanced life. Listeners will learn: why thoughts can feel true without being facts why making a “plan B” can reduce catastrophic thinking how to use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to reduce worry You don’t have to believe every thought your brain produces. Learning to step back from worry, focusing on what you can control, and redirecting your attention can hel