Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary ideas or images that spontaneously come to mind and may be pleasant (harmless). Or unpleasant (frightening, obsessive or disturbing). At a clinical level, they are considered symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety (GAD). Postpartum depression, excessive guilt, depression, among others.
In fact, some of these mental health issues can be triggered by intrusive negative thoughts. This thought or idea may become obsessive, distressing or upsetting, and may feel difficult to deal with or eliminate.
Those who experience them fear that they may commit the acts they imagine in their mind. They also fear that these thoughts mean something terrible about them. Such unwanted intrusive thoughts can be very explicit. And many people feel ashamed and worried about them, and therefore keep them secret.
Types of intrusive thoughts
As we have already mentioned, we generally speak of intrusive thoughts when they are unpleasant, their content being something negative. In psychology, the following types of intrusive thinking are distinguished, according to its content:
Aggressive: are those thoughts that refer to harming another or ourselves. Some examples are thinking about self-harming, pushing or assaulting someone in any way, without there being any cause for it.
Ideas that go against one’s own values: such as those referring to the religious or spiritual, political or family sphere.
Sexual thoughts: based on desire and erotic fantasies, especially with people with whom it would be morally reprehensible to maintain this type of relationship.
An important characteristic of this type of thoughts is that they are usually ego-dystonic. Which means that they generate discomfort and confusion in the person who experiences them. When the appearance of these negative intrusive thoughts does not cause the person restlessness or discomfort, it may be psychotic symptoms.
thoughts and depression
When we suffer from depression, an intrusive thought can take the form of something negative about ourselves or what we are dealing with. Some example of a thought about us is: “I am not good at anything, I am always a total failure.” Some intrusive thoughts about what we face: “Things always go wrong for me.” “Good things never happen to me. Why try it?»
When the intrusive thoughts become more severe, we can see a loss of hope. An example would be an intrusive thought such as: “why am I still living if I’m worthless? Everything would be better if he wasn’t alive anymore.» This kind of thinking is harsh and should be taken very seriously. It can be an indication of severe depression.
Causes of intrusive thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are one of the key pieces of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a condition in which the individual feels that their thoughts (obsessions) are not going to be fulfilled as long as they carry out certain actions (compulsions). The person who suffers from it and does not receive treatment usually sees their life completely altered, being OCD one of the most disabling disorders that exist.
Also, intrusive thoughts can appear as a symptom of other problems. Especially in postpartum depression (where one thinks of harming the baby), in anxiety disorders (where one thinks of the possibility of having a panic attack again) and in post-traumatic stress disorder (related to usually with the traumatic event).
When a person has developed an eating disorder, they may experience obsessive thinking that causes damage to their physical health. This is because they often worry about the physical impact that food can have on their body, creating anxiety around this idea that arises through this recurring thought.
Treatment
Intrusive thoughts are treated similarly to obsessive-compulsive disorder. This consists of a combination of reuptake inhibitor medications (antidepressants and anxiolytics) and psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy should not inhibit intrusive thoughts, as studies have shown that suppressing thoughts is counterproductive.
In this sense, a group of researchers from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Maastricht carried out an analysis with people who suffered from worrying thoughts.
Suppression of these was shown to have short-term effects, but to aggravate symptoms over a longer period of time.
The most common and effective method according to the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation is exposure and response prevention. Through this technique, the therapist exposes the patient to thoughts. Images or situations that obsess and torment you. So that he learns to control them without behaving compulsively.
Facing these involuntary ideas that cause anxiety in those who suffer from them is necessary to treat them effectively.
Exercises to stop the development of intrusive thinking
If you are one of the people who find yourself presenting these characteristics. And you feel that your feelings are in the process of passing to the stage of obsession, it is advisable to see a specialist so that they can teach you certain measures that will help you change your reasoning and we will describe some of them below:
When we feel that we are presenting this type of mental development, the first exercise to apply is to remain calm and think that these are not important.
Discard those that hurt you, that is, what you do not need, separating yourself from them and accepting that you are not your thoughts.
Get used to practicing yoga, meditation or Mindfulness, activities that are associated with your mind and make you see the present.
Do regular physical activities, which always help maintain a clearer mind and positive reasoning.
It is ideal that you do not seek support from other people to avoid the intrusive ones, since when they are not there you will realize that you are not able to eliminate them.
Another exercise is not to talk about these thoughts repeatedly.
Consequences of intrusive thoughts
This has serious consequences because then complicated psychic problems arise. That is, we can develop obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anorexia, anxiety, depression, and other more serious ones that we cannot stop and are getting bigger and bigger.
When is it necessary to contact a professional?
If intrusive thoughts have become an obsessive vicious circle that you cannot let go of, they affect your daily life and considerably reduce your quality of life, it is recommended that you visit a specialist with whom you can analyze your situation, discover the causes of the appearance and maintenance of obsessions, and learn tools that will allow you to learn to think in a healthier and more effective way.