Other medications that help in controlling intrusive thoughts are: Paroxetine (Pexeva)—prescribed only for adults. Fluoxetine (Prozac)—for children above seven years and also for adults. Sertraline (Zoloft)—for children above six years and for adults.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a type of medication people may use as a treatment for depression. People may also use SSRIs to treat mental health conditions that can cause intrusive thoughts, such as: OCD. PTSD.
Benzodiazepines (also known as tranquilizers) are the most widely prescribed type of medication for anxiety. Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour.
Psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for adults and children with OCD. Research shows that certain types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other related therapies (such as habit reversal training), can be as effective as medication for many people.
Unfortunately, OCD doesn't just go away. There is no “cure” for the condition. Thoughts are intrusive by nature, and it's not possible to eliminate them entirely. However, people with OCD can learn to acknowledge their obsessions and find relief without acting on their compulsions.
Popular benzodiazepines to treat OCD include:
Xanax (Alprazolam) Ativan (Lorazepam) Valium (Diazepam)
Types of Anti-anxiety Medications (Benzodiazepines)
Benzodiazepines most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders are clonazepam (Rivotril)*, alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).
While overthinking itself is not a mental illness, it is associated with conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use disorders. Rumination can be common in people who have chronic pain and chronic illness as well, taking the form of negative thoughts about that pain and healing from it.
Impact of Thought Suppression
Trying to suppress an intrusive, unwanted thought can cause it to rebound, or reoccur. This happens because, while an initial thought can occur automatically and without any mental effort, trying to suppress it is a controlled, conscious process that requires mental resources.
“There are parts of the brain that are a bit disrupted, like the frontal cortex, in terms of brain function and we know that serotonin can reduce the intrusive thoughts,” Dozois says.
Repetitive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors associated with OCD and other related disorders can result from exposure to a variety of medications and substances including: Amphetamines (prescription) – often prescribed for ADHD or purchased and used illegally.
Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety. They may also be a short-term problem brought on by biological factors, such as hormone shifts. For example, a woman might experience an uptick in intrusive thoughts after the birth of a child.
Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts from time to time. But they can cause a lot of distress, especially when they're negative. Allowing intrusive thoughts to pass by without giving them much attention can be helpful. You can label them as “just thoughts” and remember your brain has thousands of thoughts each day.
They can cause movement disorders such as twitching and restlessness, sedation and weight gain, and lead to diabetes. Because of these side effects, antipsychotic drugs are usually only used to treat severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
It is important to remember that medications do not cure mental health conditions. They can make your symptoms of mental illness go away or affect you less, but if you stop taking them, your symptoms may come back.
If you have anxiety, medication can help because the medicines used for anxiety alter the chemicals in your body and brain, reducing symptoms, and often helping you calm down and focus on other things.
Xanax is sometimes used as a frontline treatment for depression. The drug calms electrical activity in the brain, and that can help people feel a sense of euphoria and contentment. When Xanax is removed, people can experience a rebound form of depression.
Usually it takes between 4 to 6 weeks to feel the full effect. You might feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before you begin to feel better. Talk to your GP if you do not feel any better after 6 weeks.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This brain chemical is seen as a natural tranquilizer, producing a calming feeling in the mind.