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Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that seem to become stuck in a persons mind. They can cause distress, since the nature of the thoughts are often upsetting. They may also reoccur frequently, which can make the concern worse.
Intrusive thoughts may be violent or disturbing. They may be thoughts of an inappropriate sexual, self-harming, or impulsive nature. They can also be about behaviors the individual finds unacceptable, such as harming others.
These thoughts, however, are just thoughts. They seemingly appear out of nowhere and cause anxiety, but they have no meaning in a persons life. They are not warning messages or red flags. They are just thoughts. For example, say someone has the intrusive thought "what if I just stab my friend?" that does not mean that they want to murder their friend or are going to. It was simply a random "what if?"
What give these intrusive thoughts power is when those who experience them become worried about the significance of the thoughts. People may fixate on them and become ashamed, intent on keeping them a secret from others.
Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts from time to time. As long as the person recognizes that these are only thoughts and have no desire to act on them, intrusive thoughts aren't harmful.
Anyone can experience intrusive thoughts. More than 6 million people in the U.S. may experience them. Many more people may experience them and not report them to a doctor or therapist.
Intrusive thoughts aren't always the result of an underlying condition. They're also not likely to indicate that you have a problem that requires medical attention.
However, for some people, intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of a mental health condition.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs when intrusive thoughts become uncontrollable. These intrusive thoughts (obsessions) may cause a person to repeat behaviors (compulsions) in the hope that they can end the thoughts and prevent them from occurring in the future.
Examples of this type of intrusive thought include worrying about locking doors and fearing there's bacteria on surfaces.
A person with OCD may develop a routine of checking locks or washing their hands multiple times. In both cases, this is an unhealthy result that interferes with their quality of life.
People living with post-traumatic stress disorder often experience intrusive thoughts that may be connected to a traumatic event. These thoughts may trigger some of the physical symptoms of PTSD, such as increased heart rate and sweating.
In some cases, these thoughts can be so severe they lead to flashbacks and intense psychological distress.
People who have developed an eating disorder may experience intrusive thoughts that are harmful to their mental health.
People with an eating disorder frequently worry about the physical impact food will have on their body. That, in turn, leads to great distress about eating. It may also cause additional behaviors, such as purging, in an effort to stop the thoughts.
Intrusive thoughts are very common for people who have anxiety. These thoughts may include thinking that a disaster is going to happen, imaging worse case scenarios, self-harm urges, and more.
There is no real "cause" for intrusive thoughts. They are just thoughts and can just happen randomly.
Some thoughts wander into the brain and then, just as quickly, they exit. They create no lasting impression.
Mundane thoughts leave like that, but intrusive thoughts last longer and often return.
However, like stated above, intrusive thoughts are sometimes caused by a mental health condition.
The best way to manage intrusive thoughts is to reduce the sensitivity to the thought and its contents. These strategies may help:
Talk therapy is a way to discuss distressing thoughts with a mental health professional. The individual will learn ways of thinking and reacting that can help them become less sensitive to the intrusive thoughts. In a controlled setting, the therapist may expose them to triggers for their intrusive thoughts so they can develop healthy responses.
A good step towards treating intrusive thoughts is recognizing what they are: just thoughts. Learn to label them when they happen and recognize that thoughts are not the same as intent or behavior. Also learning to manage stress through self-care and the development of active coping strategies can help reduce the frequency of unwanted and intrusive thoughts.
Intrusive thoughts can be powerful because of how they "stick" in a person's mind. Their unusual nature can cause distress and anxiety. They are upsetting because they feel so foreign.
Having intrusive thoughts doesn't always mean that a person has an underlying condition. They are, like so many other thoughts a person has in a day, just thoughts.
But if these intrusive thoughts are interfering with day-to-day life, talk with a healthcare provider about them. Getting treatment can help reduce sensitivity to the thoughts and improve quality of life.