Intrusive thoughts are insignificant or irrelevant thoughts that occur to a person in any situation. These thoughts usually do not have any meaning but are frightening and scary. A frequent and/or excessively intense occurrence of these thoughts may result in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD can cause a person to suffer from unwanted thoughts or mental images, which are called intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are symptoms of all types of OCD and are a form of obsession.
But many people who experience these thoughts don't have a mental health disorder, says Dr. Kerry-Ann Williams, a lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety. They may also be a short-term problem brought on by biological factors, such as hormone shifts.
Dr. Debra Kissen, Light on Anxiety clinical director and chair of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Public Education Committee, says the easiest way to spot OCD is “when the behaviors start to interfere with regular life” and when the thoughts and behaviors seem to take on a life of their own.
OCD and unwanted urges or impulses:Sometimes intrusive thoughts aren't verbal or visual but more physical. You may feel an urge to do something or act out in some way that is inconsistent with who you are as a person and the values you hold. Example: You're standing on your roof deck and suddenly have the urge to jump.
These thoughts are usually unwanted, unpleasant or even painful. Intrusive thoughts are often repetitive in nature and usually come in the form of mental images or statements said to yourself. These thoughts are normal and most of the time, they come and go without causing us much distress.
While anxiety disorders are typically characterized by excessive worry, OCD is marked by unwanted thoughts that lead to compulsive mental or physical reactions. A person with an anxiety disorder will experience excessive worry, but not engage in compulsive behavior to reduce their anxiety.
Examples: fear of contamination or dirt; needing things orderly and symmetrical; aggressive or horrific thoughts about harming yourself or others; unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects.
It's common for people with OCD to think in extremes, known as black-and-white thinking. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious mental health condition that affects your thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).
Hence, there is no real need for guilt. You don't need to question your integrity and morality when these thoughts come. Instead, treat the thought like a cloud – it will come and go. Even if it comes to your mind more than other thoughts, it still doesn't mean that intrusive thought is 'you'.
Intrusive thoughts can occur due to various factors, including anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, or other underlying mental health conditions. They may be due to imbalances in brain chemistry, environmental stressors, or learned thought patterns.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
People may also use SSRIs to treat mental health conditions that can cause intrusive thoughts, such as: OCD. PTSD. generalized anxiety disorder.
However, they are not exclusive to ADHD just as anxiety is not exclusive to ADHD. Intrusive thoughts are associated with other mental health disorders such as Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Doubts are one of the most common types of intrusive thoughts. The doubts can be about big or small aspects of your life. For example, intrusive thoughts might cause you to question your relationship or sexual orientation.
They're usually harmless. But if you obsess about them so much that it interrupts your day-to-day life, this can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Common obsessive thoughts in OCD include:
Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others. Fear of losing control and harming yourself or others. Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images. Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas.
ASD and OCD can sometimes have similar symptoms. However, they are different conditions. Research from 2015 found that 17% of people with ASD also have OCD. This is higher than the percentage of people with OCD in the general population.
People struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are often misdiagnosed as having other psychological conditions. One of the most common misdiagnoses for this population is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This diagnostic problem arises for two reasons.
ADHD and OCD are two mental health conditions that may appear to share some symptoms. However, ADHD is externalizing in nature, affecting how individuals relate to their environment. By contrast, OCD is internalizing in nature, meaning individuals respond to anxiety by turning inward.
The bottom line
Intrusive thoughts are a common symptom of mental health conditions like PTSD or OCD. But regardless of their cause, many people get relief through a combination of therapy, medication, and coping strategies.
It may not always be possible to stop intrusive thoughts, and that's not necessarily the goal. Instead, you might consider focusing on ways to make them less overwhelming and create some distance between you and the thought. The goal is to feel that you're in control of your thoughts, not the other way around.
Physical exercise, fresh air, and sleeping are fantastic ways to get things off your mind and improve memory. Taking more breaks helps to increase your effectiveness. Meditation can help you practice mindfulness and overcome negative feelings. Using apps makes it easy to practice the techniques.