What are Intrusive Thoughts?

These thoughts seem to come out of nowhere, with the intent to disrupt. You do not want to think about them or give them space in your head. The thoughts are strange and troubling, but there also seems to be a recurring fear that images will persist and then become intrusive.

Intrusive thoughts are unsettling feelings that may stem from the past or be perceived as sexual, violent, or traumatic. These patterns can evoke anxiety, shame, or depression, leading to humiliating or inappropriate behavior. The word intrusive is defined as an unwelcome or unwanted intrusion into normalcy. Therefore, the more frequently the thoughts appear and persist, the more unsettling the damage can become.

Intrusive thoughts are prevalent in society and are sometimes associated with mental health issues or diagnosed disorders. They can lead to impulsive problems, random or rampant compulsions, and repetitive tasks that elevate stress levels. Intrusive thoughts can also lead to dangerous situations, especially when combined with hallucinations and delusional behavior.

The message is clear: these emotions cause more harm than good, so a person must have a plan to combat them and control their thoughts rather than letting the experience overtake their mind. Initially, the person has to recognize that the thought is intrusive and markedly different from regular thoughts. Then the person must decide whether the thought is a problem and, if so, immediately redirect themselves to another activity. Afterward, if the patterns persist, the person can try mindfulness techniques or cognitive behavioral therapy to learn to distinguish negative thoughts from positive ones. However, another approach is to embrace the thought, learn to live with it, and then push through it.

Although the last technique is not simple, embracing this approach gives a person the chance to evaluate the situation, identify the root cause, and determine whether they can turn the negative into a positive. This transformation process is called positive counterbalance, in which the goal is to gradually change thinking patterns. Reframing intrusive thoughts can preserve mental health and foster an optimistic attitude.