There has probably been a time when you have had a thought that has horrified you. It could have been a sudden vision of dropping something valuable. It might have been a stray comment that seemed to come to your lips with no conscious thought of your own or something that kept bothering you. Most times, it slips away quickly. However, for some people, thoughts tend to stick, and anxiety is generated about them. Therapy for intrusive thoughts can provide an answer for those whose thoughts stick around, and this post aims to describe what this situation is and when it is a good idea to seek out assistance.
What Intrusive Thoughts Really Are
Intrusive thoughts are thoughts, images, or ideas that pop up uninvited and often are violent, shameful, or ridiculous. They are not necessarily an indication of a person’s true character. Thoughts that pop into the heads of people are frequently odd or absurd in some way. One thing that people are not aware of is that the majority of thoughts that pop into the heads of people are disregarded by the conscious mind immediately. It is when a person decides that a thought is dangerous or has some meaning that it becomes intrusive.
How Anxiety Keeps the Cycle Going
Anxiety and the fear of intrusive thoughts are connected directly. One of the ways in which anxiety keeps the cycle of intrusive thoughts going is that when an uncomfortable thought appears, people start analyzing their thoughts too closely. One of the mechanisms of action for intrusive thinking is that whenever a person starts paying close attention to what they are thinking, the brain generates more thoughts to justify what they are doing.
Often, one’s natural response to an intrusive thought is to try to prevent it by checking, asking, avoiding, or examining the thought. While this might seem like a good way to respond to intrusive thoughts, the brain interprets it as a signal that such thoughts are worth thinking about. The natural alternative of trying to push the thought away is also not likely to work. A good example is that most people cannot think about something else for very long when they attempt to imagine a pink balloon in their heads. In fact, they might end up trying to think about the opposite of that thought instead.
Signs It May Be Time to Reach Out
The presence of occasional strange thoughts is not going to be a problem for most people. However, therapy for intrusive thoughts becomes a necessity when the thoughts start to take over one’s mind. Some of the signs that it may be time to reach out include
Spending many hours trying to analyze one’s thoughts
Avoiding people, places, or things due to one’s thoughts
Seeking lots of reassurance from other people
Checking things over and over again
Reduced capacity to concentrate
Loss of sleep due to anxiety
Things that used to be enjoyed no longer bring the same pleasure
It is not always necessary to reach the point of desperation before seeking help in such situations. In truth, the earlier one reaches out, the faster the process of healing begins.
What Professional Support Looks Like
A professional can begin talking to the patient about their intrusive thoughts. One of the most powerful parts of the initial consultation is that many people are surprised that this happens. The professional will ask them questions about how long they have been having these thoughts and what they are generally like. The next stage is for psychotherapy to begin, which usually involves cognitive behavioral therapy.
This form of therapy examines the relationship between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. There is also exposure and response prevention which works by helping one to become desensitized to their intrusive thoughts. It might seem like a strange idea, but it works in practice, although it often involves confronting one’s fears head-on with exposure therapy at specific rates. The ultimate aim of therapy for intrusive thoughts is not to remove them entirely, which is impossible, but to reduce their impact.
Small Things You Can Try in the Meantime
Professional therapy should be complemented by some lifestyle changes that can improve the overall well-being of the patient. Some of these changes include naming thoughts as intrusive thoughts as a way of distancing yourself from them, avoiding trying to examine your thoughts, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and talking to someone about them instead of keeping them secret.
When Low Mood Joins the Picture
Over time, anxiety can wear a person down and eventually provoke a sense of hopelessness or sadness. When depression and anxiety occur together, they need to be treated as a combined problem. A good starting point in such cases is depression treatment houston.
Final Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are common, and there is no reason for someone having them to feel anything other than sorry for those who do. This condition is most often managed successfully by seeking out the right assistance. With intrusive thoughts, the right mindset is to accept that they are irritating and diminish their impact on one’s life.
FAQs
1. Are intrusive thoughts normal?
Yes, having intrusive thoughts is normal. Most people will have a few unwanted thoughts in their head. However, frequent unwanted thoughts can become a problem.
2. Does an intrusive thought mean I want it to happen?
No, a person having an intrusive thought does not mean that they want it to happen. These thoughts usually contradict what one wants in life.
3. Can anxiety make intrusive thoughts worse?
Yes, the fear that a person has that they are going to have intrusive thoughts makes these thoughts worse.
4. How do I know if I need therapy?
A person knows they need therapy when the thoughts that bother them come frequently and interfere with their sleep or the ability to concentrate.
5. Can intrusive thoughts and depression occur together?
Yes, and people need to seek out the advice of a therapist in such situations.
