Repetitive Unpleasant Thoughts (RUTs) are a problem with being human. Although many people are not bothered much by them, others have a difficult time, and they markedly interfere with their quality of life. At some tipping point they can be severe enough to compromise the ability to function. The term for this extreme form is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
You can’t outrun your mind
Although physical pain elicits and automatic avoidance or withdrawal response, there is no refuge from mental pain, which is processed in similar brain circuits. We only know to suppress them, which makes them even worse. The brain perceives these thoughts to be a threat and fires up the fight or flight response. A sustained threat physiology is the basis of chronic mental and physical disease.
It is my opinion that RUTs may be the most significant force in driving chronic mental and physical disease. Unpleasant thoughts are sensory input and emotions are the physiological reaction. They are solvable using research-based approaches. Possibly the one most overlooked factor in dealing with obsessive thought patterns is addressing the threat physiology component.
This section of the healing journey is focused on solving RUTs (Repetitive Unpleasant Thoughts). The learning sequence first focuses on solutions and then on the background as to why and how these disruptive thought patterns are so common. You can’t “fix” them or do battle with them. You must move through and rise abovethem.
Introduction – What Happens Behind Closed Doors
Section 1 – Overview of RUTs
Chapter 1 – RUTs – Defining the Problem
Section 2 – Solving RUTs
Chapter 2 – Separating Your Identity from Your Physiology
Chapter 3 – Four Aspects of Solving RUTs
Chapter 4 – Thought Diversion
Chapter 5 – “Turn Down the Heat” – Anger
Chapter 6 – Nurturing Creativity
Chapter 7 – Dissolution of Ego
Section 3 – The Evolution of RUTs
Chapter 8 – The Need for Mental Control – The “Ironic Effect”
Chapter 9 – We are brainwashed by our life experiences
Chapter 10 – The Physiology/ Mental Mechanics
Section 4 – Consequences of RUTs
Chapter 11 – Clinical Manifestations/ illnesses/ Diseases
Chapter 12 – Behaviors Driven by RUTs
Chapter 13 – Punishment Can’t and Won’t Stop Destructive Behaviors
Section 5 – Healing Principles
Chapter 14 – Addressing RUTs
Chapter 15 – Become a Professional at Living Life
Chapter 16 – “Letting Go” – Freedom from Mental and Physical Pain
This section on RUTs has been carved out of all of my materials including The DOC Journey course and app, Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain, Psychology Today blogs, and the backincontrol.com website. For many of you, this section will provide enough information to heal, and others will need to take a deep dive into either the course/ app, or considerother approaches.
There is little time spent looking backwards into your past traumas. You are actually reinforcing these neurological circuits. The focus is learning the skills to process adversity and shift onto circuits that are more functional and enjoyable. Many people have healed using these principles and the outcomes are consistent with engagement and repetition. Welcome to your new nervous system and life.
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RUTs - Defining the Problem
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The Physiology / Mental Mechanics
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Behaviors Driven by RUTs
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