![]() Unwanted impulses, like the desire to touch things a certain number of times or search the internet to make sure you don’t have the same biography as a serial killerĭifferent types of intrusive thoughts affect people differently, but they all have one thing in common: They cause anxiety and distress that can feel like too much to handle. Unwanted and possibly inaccurate memories, like wondering if you accidentally touched a child inappropriately while playing with them.Physical sensations, such as the feeling of being contaminated by a public bathroom or the sense that your breathing has suddenly become irregular.Ideas and uncertainties that your mind feels like it has to deal with, like, “What if I killed someone and I don’t remember it?”.Disturbing images, like visions of germs crawling on your body or the mental picture of a commuter that you pushed in front of a train.They don’t always realize that intrusive thoughts can also be: When people picture the intrusive thoughts of OCD, they usually think of unwanted words and sentences like the ones described above. What are the types of intrusive thoughts? You know they’re not rational, but you feel compelled to let them direct your behavior.įortunately, there is a way to overcome those intrusive thoughts - and it doesn’t involve forcing them out of your mind. They’re in your mind and body, but you feel like you can’t control them. Intrusive thoughts make OCD feel inescapable. And when OCD is involved, that “something” is usually a compulsive behavior. It tells you those thoughts must be real and valid, demanding that you do something to make them go away. They look at an annoying fellow commuter and think, “I could push him in front of the bus and no one would notice.”įor people without OCD, those moments pass as quickly as they come, but OCD forces you to fixate on those intrusive thoughts. They picture having sex with a coworker, even though they’re married. These unwanted thoughts pop up in your mind, whether or not they’re rational or in line with your values and beliefs.Įveryone has this kind of thought once in a while. Intrusive thoughts are probably the most famous symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.
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