Find out how you can curb intrusive thoughts with the help of online therapy options and other effective strategies.
For those who have struggled with their mental health, intrusive thoughts are not a new thing. It is often more difficult to control our thoughts and emotions than we let on. Because it can be difficult to control our thoughts, intrusive thoughts can sneak in and affect the way we feel about ourselves. If you’ve sought out this article as a way to help manage intrusive thoughts, then you’ve already made an important decision. Only once we recognize that we are having intrusive thoughts can we take steps to curb them.
If you are currently experiencing intrusive thoughts, then it is important to do everything you can to stop them. Not only are they uncomfortable—and oftentimes disturbing—they are disruptive to our everyday lives and can cause symptoms of mental health disorders to worsen. That’s why we are discussing 7 different ways that you can curb, cope, and distract yourself from intrusive thoughts. Today, we’ll be exploring everything from how to find a therapist to in the moment solutions for when negative thoughts pop up. Plus, we’re going to be discussing how online therapy options can help you get to the root of your intrusive thoughts. But first, we have to define what intrusive thoughts are and take a look at some of the causes. Let’s get started!
What is an Intrusive Thought?
Before we start exploring different online therapy options, we first need to take a closer look at what intrusive thoughts are and are not.
Many experience intrusive thoughts without knowing what they’re called.
When you hear the phrase “intrusive thought” you may assume that the phrase is self-explanatory—an intrusive thought is a thought that intrudes on your conscious mind. However, intrusive thoughts are more sinister than that. An intrusive thought by the psychological definition refers to thoughts that are unwanted, involuntary, and cause distress. These kinds of thoughts are characterized by their often violent, graphic, or disturbing nature. While not every intrusive thought is disturbing, they are always unwanted.
It is common for intrusive thoughts to be repetitive, out of control, and seemingly random as they pop into our minds. When these thoughts appear, they can exacerbate existing symptoms of mental health disorders, make it difficult to focus, and can lead to feelings of shame and guilt. It is also commonly reported that intrusive thoughts are vastly out of character for the person experiencing them. To get a better understanding of what exactly constitutes an intrusive thought, let’s take a look at some of the common themes reported by people who experience these kinds of thoughts:
- Inflicting harm on others
- Harming yourself
- Graphic fantasies
- Family or friends dying
- Disasters
- Car crashes or plane crashes
These are just a few of the common themes that appear in intrusive thoughts, but really any thought that is unwanted and causes stress can be considered an intrusive thought. The important thing is that you are getting help if you are experiencing thoughts that involve the aforementioned themes. If you are, it is important to explore ways to get help like online therapy options or in-person care. But, before we get to the solutions, we should take a look at some of the most common causes of intrusive thoughts.
What Causes Intrusive Thoughts?
There are a whole host of mental health conditions that can cause intrusive thoughts.
Intrusive thoughts can be caused by several internal and external factors.
Most often, intrusive thoughts are brought on by an already existing mental health condition. If you are experiencing intrusive thoughts only, you should search for online therapy options or in-person care to try to get to the bottom of what is causing these thought patterns. For most people who experience intrusive thoughts, the thoughts are just one of the many symptoms associated with the following disorders:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
These conditions produce a lot of negative side effects, with intrusive thoughts being one of them. If you have already been diagnosed with one of these disorders, then that is most likely the cause for your intrusive thought patterns. If you haven’t already been diagnosed, you may be suffering from one of the aforementioned disorders without realizing it. As we mentioned, either in-person or online therapy options can help you get a better understanding of where the intrusive thoughts are coming from.
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