They're usually harmless. But if you obsess about them so much that it interrupts your day-to-day life, this can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety.
Examples: fear of contamination or dirt; needing things orderly and symmetrical; aggressive or horrific thoughts about harming yourself or others; unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects.
There are currently several available options beyond medication that have been proven to effectively treat OCD. These include Deep TMS, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and surgical procedures.
Individuals may have overwhelming intrusive thoughts related to psychosis, hallucinations, or acting outside of their control. These intrusive and unwanted thoughts are called “obsessions.” They can involve intrusive thoughts, images, or urges, and can be extremely unpleasant, provoking anxiety or other distress.
Medication for intrusive thoughts: Types and other treatments. Intrusive thoughts are ones that people do not want or feel they have no control over. Common medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic antidepressants.
Magnesium plays a key role in balancing mood and relaxation, and its deficiencies are linked with depression. Thanks to its calming effect, magnesium is nicknamed nature's tranquilizer. This is also the reason magnesium supplements can help those with OCD manage the condition.
It plays off our desire for certainty so no matter what theme it presents itself as, it can take hold of even the smallest glimmer of uncertainty. Because of this, the potential consequence of these intrusive thoughts becoming a reality petrifies us.
Doubts are one of the most common types of intrusive thoughts. The doubts can be about big or small aspects of your life. For example, intrusive thoughts might cause you to question your relationship or sexual orientation.
The good news is many intrusive thoughts can be considered normal and pass through a person's mind without leaving an imprint. However, Dr. Edwards says some intrusive thoughts may begin to stick in people's minds and bother them. They may ruminate on the idea and start to feel anxious.
Common obsessive thoughts in OCD include:
Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others. Fear of losing control and harming yourself or others. Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images. Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas.
In this way, intrusive thoughts can have a detrimental impact on our mental health. They can be very upsetting, and in some cases can lead to depression, anxiety or OCD. The good news is that they can be successfully managed.
“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. “But the problem is it's a bit backwards — it doesn't mean that low serotonin is the cause [of intrusive thoughts].
Depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts are all interlinked. An event, like the death of a loved one, can cause many of these feelings but, as time passes, those feelings tend to fade. If we continue to obsess over them, the events of the death or even death itself can cause feelings of depression or anxiety.
OCD symptoms can worsen if left untreated. Likewise, stress and other mental health symptoms like trauma, anxiety, and themes of perfectionism, can aggravate OCD. Sometimes, symptoms may worsen dramatically and suddenly, but it's more likely for them to escalate gradually.
Practice Mindfulness
Another way to manage OCD is through mindfulness, or the ability to be fully present and aware in a particular moment. It often involves techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help your mind relax.
However, there are several strategies that you can use to manage and reduce the intensity of an OCD attack. Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and calm the mind.