Intrusive thoughts are unexpected, unpleasant ideas, thoughts, or pictures that disturb the mind. These thoughts are invasive; they invade our minds unconsciously and without permission.
Studies have shown that about 50% of an individual’s thoughts daily are not related to the ongoing task.
In this article, we’ll be looking at how to deal with intrusive thoughts so they don’t have a negative effect or physical presentation.
Read on for richer and deeper content.
What are intrusive thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are usually unwanted; they just pop up with disturbing content. Although you could feel upset when this occurs, having an intrusive thought now and again is a normal part of life.
The majority of the time, intrusive thoughts are meaningless. Intrusive ideas are not dangerous as long as you are aware that they are simply thoughts and that you have no desire to act on them.
It’s only when you ponder them regularly that it becomes risky because you would be a step closer to acting them out.
Many people have the same kinds of unsettling and unfavorable ideas as those who have more intrusive thoughts, but most people can ignore them. It’s often a “fleeting annoyance” for most people. (2)
Some of these thoughts include blasphemous or indecent imagery, thoughts of injuring elderly people or someone close to them, aggression against animals or children, as well as impulsive or violent outbursts or statements.
Also ideas of sexual violence, sexual punishment, and thoughts of sex acts.
These are common human thoughts that have almost certainly always been a part of the human condition.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that practically everyone occasionally experiences intrusive thoughts. The majority of people experience intrusive ideas from time to time, and random, unwanted, distressing thoughts are fairly common.
Everyone has them, whether they are in good health, ordinary health, nervous health, calm health, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) health. Most people simply ignore them.
However, intrusive thoughts can be quite powerful for those who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety disorders, and their responses to them can make them much louder.
Examples of Intrusive thoughts
Some common examples of Intrusive thoughts (which can also be seen as types of Intrusive thoughts) include:
1. Intrusive doubtful thoughts
This is when you begin to have thoughts of doubt—the thoughts of not being good enough or that it’s difficult to attain a particular height or level of greatness.
It becomes a problem or escalates when we don’t know how to deal with the Intrusive thoughts of doubt.
The thoughts would come, it is a guarantee, especially when you are faced with circumstances or everything just seems to go haywire after a smooth run, but how to deal with them makes the difference.
The thought doesn’t automatically translate to being a failure in reality; that’s why it’s necessary to deal with it from the onset!
2. Thoughts of Self-Harm
Sometimes thoughts don’t translate into deeds. I’ve given a lot of thought to doing some weird things, but that doesn’t mean I would ever do them.
Thoughts do, however, have an impact on our behavior and emotions, and in the instance of something like persistent self-harming thoughts, they can be a warning sign of far worse things to come.
3. Intrusive thoughts of hurting people
Violent thoughts can occasionally be intrusive. You might consider harming yourself or another person. There is typically no intention behind it; you don’t want to do such things; it’s just an idea that comes to you at the moment.
But the reason you’re worrying so much about it could be that you’re worried that, deep down, a part of you does not want to act it out.
4. Delusional thoughts
If you are having delusional thoughts that are bizarre and paranoid, you may be experiencing a sign of a mental disorder like psychosis. You must seek help if this is becoming regular, don’t privatize it; it will only get worse.
5. Thoughts on Sexual Acts
Unwanted sexual ideas are included in sexually intrusive thoughts. Fears about one’s sexual orientation or what other people might think are examples of this.
Additionally, it might depict sexual acts that the person deems repugnant or unethical.
The individual might be afraid of engaging in dangerous or sexually aggressive behavior. OCD sufferers may even experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts about having sex with a youngster.
Having a sexual desire, being a paedophile, or being homophobic is not the same as this. read more
Unwanted thoughts could also be one of the signs of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, or Anxiety.
Intrusive thoughts are unconscious and unrelated to reality or a person’s desires, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). People rarely act on these ideas because they find them upsetting and unpleasant.
Persistent intrusive thoughts can be extremely upsetting. People frequently find that the more they struggle to get rid of these thoughts, the more intense and persistent they become.
How to deal with Intrusive thoughts
Learning how to deal with intrusive thoughts is essential for maintaining a healthy mental state and regaining control over your mind. Although stopping intrusive thoughts may not always be possible, doing so is not always the intended outcome.
Instead, you can think about concentrating on how to deal with their overwhelming nature and putting some space between you and the concept.
The objective is to feel in control of your thoughts, rather than the other way around.
You can learn how to deal with Intrusive thoughts by following these steps:
1. First, identify the underlying cause or problem: The first step to dealing with Intrusive thoughts is identifying the cause, as it may vary from having normal thoughts that could pop up to a mental disorder (OCD, PTSD, or Anxiety disorder).
If it’s becoming too consistent and it’s affecting your daily life, don’t hesitate to see your doctor for further consultations.
2. Be resilient: Challenge the thoughts, Challenge Intrusive thoughts with positive thoughts or words. You can say things like, “I have the mind of Christ, my thoughts are of good and not of evil; my mind is renewed; therefore, my thoughts are renewed….”
3. Refuse to Ponder on Intrusive Thoughts: Remember that they are just thoughts and can only affect you negatively when you begin to ponder on them.
Allow the thoughts to leave the same way they came quietly and as a flash. Don’t allow those thoughts to stay so long by pondering on them.
Avoid trying to tell yourself to think about it, because the more we are conscious of not having those thoughts, the more they will want to flood your mind, and your brain can begin to get attached to them.
Therefore, don’t force yourself to not think about these thoughts; just make sure that when they come, you don’t ponder on them.
4. Don’t be idle: Idleness is a platform for just about anything. Get busy!! If you feel like you’re done with all of your tasks and there’s nothing to do at the moment, you can start writing, or journaling, which would help you take your mind off certain thoughts.
As the common phrase says, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, ” therefore we must never allow our thoughts to become the devil’s workshop by being idle.
5. Resist negative contents: Ensure that whatever you watch or hear is under control because our thoughts are most often combinations of the things we have seen or heard over time. Therefore, desist from content that is negative, whether from movies, social media, or relationships, as these things can increase the rate at which intrusive thoughts invade your mind.
Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy assists patients in disentangling their thoughts from feelings and realities. Others may discover that practicing meditation, doing breathing exercises, or discussing their ideas with a qualified mental health professional is helpful. It’s crucial to get immediate mental health assistance if the thoughts start to overpower you.
Conclusion
Awareness of how to deal with Intrusive thoughts is a step toward having some control over your mind. The journey is not to eradicate these thoughts but to give you control over them and lessen their occurrence.
You do not have to live your life according to your intrusive ideas. During the crucifixion, Jesus Christ pronounced a more potent word.
And in your quest to take on his likeness, he extends an invitation to a happy place where your mind is an ally rather than an adversary.
People should seek professional assistance if intrusive thoughts are making mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or OCD worse.
They should also do so if intrusive thoughts are making it difficult to carry out daily duties or maintain relationships. The process of healing and wellness can be advanced in significant ways by combining therapy with medication, a holistic approach to health, and self-care.
The best course of action is to find a customized solution to these problems because what works well for one individual may not work well for another.
Let’s always remember that your thoughts are as powerful as you believe them to be, and your thoughts tend to become reality only when you agree with them.
