How You Keep Yourself Suffering in a Cycle

Sometimes the thing keeping you stuck isn’t “life” — it’s the invisible loop your brain runs to feel safe, avoid pain, or stay in control… even when it hurts you. In this Psych2Go video, we break down the patterns that quietly keep suffering going (like rumination, avoidance, self-criticism, and repeating the same coping cycles), and what you can do to interrupt the loop in a way that’s realistic — not toxic-positivity or “just be stronger.” If this topic hit a nerve, you’re not broken — you’re human. And awareness is the first real escape hatch. Watch next (Psych2Go): 1. How to Recognize When You’re Self-Sabotaging in Relationships 2. How To Deal With Loneliness ft. Dr Vivek H. Murthy, MD If you want a Part 2: “How to help a friend who’s stuck in this loop,” comment “PART 2” and tell us what they do when they’re hurting (shut down, lash out, overthink, isolate, etc.). Disclaimer: This video is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Sources (APA) + why they’re worth reading: 1. Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2008). Rethinking rumination. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(5), 400–424. Why: Breaks down how rumination keeps depression/anxiety cycles going and why it feels “useful” even when it isn’t.  2. Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152–1168. Why: Explains avoidance as a core mechanism that can maintain distress across many conditions — and what “acceptance” actually means (it’s not “giving up”).  3. MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012). Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(6), 545–552. Why: Shows (across studies) how self-compassion links to lower distress and why shame-based self-talk tends to backfire.