

In some cases, intrusive thoughts may indicate a deeper mental health issue – such as OCD, mentioned above. Invasive Thoughts And Mental Health Issues Talk therapy and learning coping mechanisms for intrusive thoughts are usually the best option for treatment, though medication may be recommended in some cases. If you do struggle with intrusive thoughts regularly, you may wish to consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist. You may be unable to release an intrusive thought, and may think about it again and again – to such an extent that it can negatively affect your day-to-day life. In fact, this is often a sign of a serious mental health disorder such as OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). When you begin to obsess about these intrusive thoughts and you have feelings of guilt, anxiety, and self-hatred for feeling them, this is when they become problematic. How can you be “normal” when having such sick, disgusting thoughts? Shouldn’t you feel bad for even considering the idea? How could you possibly think of doing such a thing? But if you get stuck on this thought, you may start to feel guilty and anxious. This happens – and most people will be able to get rid of that thought, put it out of their mind, and move on. For example, let’s say you’re holding a kitchen knife, and all of a sudden, you briefly think about the idea of stabbing a loved one. However, the real problem begins when you get “stuck” on an intrusive thought. When Should I Worry About Intrusive Thoughts? If you only have periodic intrusive thoughts and have no urge to act on them, this is completely normal.Īs long as you’re not obsessing about the thought – and feeling bad and guilty for thinking it – chances are that you’re totally fine.

#Intrusive obsessive thoughts free
Even if you are of sound mind and free of any serious mental health issues, it’s possible to be struck by intrusive thoughts out of nowhere – and this is not something you should feel too concerned about. The short answer is “yes.” Intrusive thoughts are just that – thoughts. Could you possibly have such thoughts if you were “normal?” Many people who have intrusive thoughts experience violent, unpleasant, or sexual thoughts that can be upsetting – and seem to come out of nowhere.Įven if you don’t have a history of mental health issues, you may find yourself struck by these thoughts occasionally – and upset or disturbed by what you’re thinking about.

These kinds of thoughts can be very disturbing. Or, when you’re on the top of a cliff, high building, or somewhere else where you could be in danger of falling, you may suddenly think about what would happen if you threw yourself off and fell. Invasive thoughts are upsetting, stressful, or unhealthy thoughts that may seem to appear in your head for no reason – and can cause you a lot of anxiety, anguish, and emotional turmoil.įor example, you may frequently have an intrusive or invasive thought about crashing your car while driving.

What Is An Intrusive Or Invasive Thought? What You Need To Know Intrusive Thoughts And Mental Health Issues.When Should I Worry About Intrusive Thoughts?.What Is An Intrusive Thought? What You Need To Know.Not sure what an intrusive or invasive thought is, or if it’s normal to have them? Let’s discuss the basics in this post from the office of Dr. If you regularly have intrusive thoughts – which often cause significant stress or anxiety, or are impulses or mental images that impair your ability to function – you may be wondering if they’re normal.
