Imagine you're on a carousel ride at an amusement park. The carousel moves in a circle, with the same sights and sounds repeating over and over again. At first, you're questioning what's happening, and after a while, you start to feel trapped and disoriented. You want to get off, but the ride keeps going, and you feel like you're stuck in a loop.

You've already seen it. You've already experienced it. Yet it won't stop.

Just when you think the ride is about to stop and the amusement park worker is about to announce it's time to get off. They push that button and send you spiraling once again. Maybe if you take another loop around you gain some clarity.

Now imagine that this is what it's like to experience an OCD thought loop. You may have an intrusive thought or worry that starts off small, but then it keeps repeating over and over again, just like the carousel ride. You may try to resist the thought or distract yourself, but it keeps coming back, causing you to feel trapped and overwhelmed.

Seriously, imagine yourself stuck on this thing. At what point are you going to feel like there is no hope?
You're not gaining anything from these moments other than more anxiety.

If you struggle with OCD and have been for a while, there's a good chance depression has wormed its way and at some point. A study in 2011 found that people diagnosed with OCD are about 10 times more likely to experience depression than those without OCD symptoms.

By the end of this video, my hope is to give you some tips to help with your depression within OCD.

I've taken some time to really understand this through my own practice in the hundreds I've seen with OCD. This is what I find. It is thought that OCD in itself is somewhat contributed to a lack of serotonin in the brain. We know this is the case for depression so obviously there's gotta be some connection there.

When somebody is having intrusive thoughts. Those thoughts that they do not want but can't stop it can feel hopeless that things will not get better. Hopelessness is a big component to depression.

I find that a lot of people are surprised when they start working on treatment for OCD...they start noticing more depression. Why is this?

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Ultimately, the best is to work on the treatment for depression as well as OCD at the same time. For instant...

Get moving: Exercise has been shown to be an effective way to reduce depression symptoms. Take a walk outside, do some yoga or find an activity that you enjoy and can make a regular habit.

Connect with others: Social support can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Reach out to friends and family.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Do things you enjoy: Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as reading, listening to music, or watching a favorite TV show. Here's the kicker....even if you don't feel like it.

Challenge negative thoughts: It's easy to get caught up in negative thoughts when you're struggling with OCD or depression. Challenge these thoughts by reminding yourself of positive things in your life or things you've accomplished.

I take you through step by step how to create a game plan to acheieve all these things in my online depression course. I'll link that below.

Ultimatly, here's the dealio, depression can happen for many different reasons. If it's lack of hope that OCD symptoms will get better. Work on OCD. Also, work on the evidence based tools for depression. There is hope. Don't give up.

To enhance your skills even more, go watch this video here, where I talk about the top 5 tips to reduce depression.