How Can You Prevent Intrusive Thoughts And What Treatment Is Available

What are intrusive thoughts?

Thoughts that appear in your head without any reason are called intrusive thoughts. These thoughts may feel problematic and invasive, but that is because they distress your typical psyche and conflict with your personality. They could be signs of underlying
mental health conditions if they occur often. Compulsive behaviors or intrusive thoughts may occur when someone has a mental anxiety disorder. This can include various things, from something creative like writing a book to violent ideas about harming someone. Violent thoughts do not depict our true nature. These intrusive ideas seem like they pop up from nowhere and create stress for people who do not understand them. There are no warnings; they are just reminders that we are human.
People who experience intrusive thoughts feel powerless, and people who share anxiety disorders often worry about whether something terrible might happen. They might get angry at themselves or ruin their quality of life for having these ideas and feel shame because they think something is wrong with them even if they realize they stem from mental health disorders without any desires behind them.

What Conditions include intrusive Thoughts?

Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts from time to time. They afflict more than 6 million Americans. Sometimes intrusive thoughts do not come from any mental illness.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs when specific ideas become too overwhelming for someone to control, and they create compulsions to deal with them. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves unwanted repetitive ideas and actions called obsessions. OCD symptoms include anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble sleeping, and poor concentration. An example of an intrusive thought like this would be whether you locked the door when leaving the house or turned off the stove before going out for dinner when you have done it multiple times.
People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often develop routines for performing repetitive behaviors such as repeatedly checking doors, windows, and locks; touching objects numerous times; or washing their hands multiple times per day. These results negatively interfere with people’s lives and should not continue.

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers often experience flashbacks or nightmares related to their trauma. If these thoughts cause any physical signs associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they could trigger flashbacks. Sometimes, these ideas can become so strong that they cause people to experience flashbacks and intense emotional distress.

Eating disorders

Intrusive ideas may harm someone’s mental well-being if they frequently occur or persist long enough to become problematic. Thoughts can ultimately harm one’s mental well-being. Eating disorders often cause people who suffer from them to be concerned about the health risks they might face if they eat certain foods. To eat well, they must first control their emotions when faced with difficult situations.

What causes them?

Random intrusive thoughts can be triggered by unexpected noise to arbitrary notions that sometimes wander into our brains. As quickly as they enter, they exit. They do not leave any lasting impressions.
If these ideas do not serve us, they tend to disappear quickly, but intrusive ones stick around for extended periods.
Some people who experience intrusive ideas may have an underlying mental illness, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may also indicate something else going wrong with your body, like an infection or diabetes.
If you are concerned about them, talk to your doctor to learn more!
Changes to mental health are nothing to take lightly. Early symptoms of some conditions may
include:
-Changes in thought patterns
-Obsessive thoughts
-Disturbing imagery
These thoughts are nothing to be ashamed of but are a reason to seek a diagnosis and treatment.

How are intrusive thoughts diagnosed?

Talking with a healthcare professional is the first step toward a diagnosis. Your doctor may ask questions such as “What medications are you currently prescribed for?” A doctor may conduct a physical examination by performing a complete neurological exam and possibly a psychological
evaluation. If they do not find any physical cause for their intrusive thoughts, they might refer them to an emotional health professional specializing in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Trained professionals who specialize in treating people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known as cognitive-behavioral therapists (CBTs).
In therapy, you will learn techniques for identifying and changing negative thought patterns so that they no longer control your life. It might be helpful for them to determine if they need to see
someone else.

What is the best way to prevent intrusive thoughts?

Treating and preventing intrusive thoughts takes time, but do not give up! Sticking to your treatment plan for these conditions can ease your symptoms and avoid unwanted thoughts.
In addition to reducing symptoms, if you experience intrusive thoughts due to a chronic illness, staying consistent with your medication regimen can help prevent them from occurring again.
CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is also useful for people who experience anxiety attacks. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts often, there are ways to cope with them so they
do not affect you too badly.

The Takeaway

Powerful, intrusive thoughts stick in our minds. They are usually pretty weird. They are upsetting because they feel so different from who we are and our true desires. It is a good sign that you want to prevent intrusive thoughts!

It may not signify something more profound; it could be standard thinking patterns. Thoughts are not an honest depiction of our true intentions; they are just ideas floating through our heads.
If your intrusive thoughts are causing significant disruption in your daily life, seek help from a mental health professional. Treatment for anxiety may help reduce or even prevent intrusive thoughts and react better when they occur.

Please call 911 if you are experiencing a medical emergency or call our admissions department for support at (801) 499-9316