Dealing with Intrusive Thoughts
Obsessive intrusive thoughts, the word “obsessive” typically describes thoughts that won’t go away. They keep coming back over and over again, often causing anxiety, guilt, or distress. People who experience obsessive thoughts may feel like they have no control over these thoughts, and they may disrupt daily life or lead to compulsive behaviors.
The best way to deal with these thoughts is first by accepting that they are a symptom of your OCD, and second, by recognising that you need to treat them as such. The key to overcoming them is to approach them rationally. By doing so, you can reduce their power and regain control over your thoughts
Everyone will experience an intrusive, disturbing thought at some point in their life. Most people can shrug it off and move on. A person with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) will obsess over the thought, worrying that it might become a reality or that it means they are a “bad person.” People with OCD may perform compulsions, such as tapping surfaces or switching lights on and off, a certain number of times, with the idea that they may prevent the thoughts from playing out in reality. Of course, these are just examples, and compulsions can show up in many different forms.
OCD themes vary, and people suffer from many different subtypes of OCD. Some may obsess over germs and contamination, while others may fear that they will lose control and harm themselves or others. Everyone’s OCD is unique to their themes, and their intrusive thoughts and obsessions are too. But overall, OCD thrives on the belief that what we think is part of who we are or that it will always come true.
Will what we think always come true?
The answer is no, thoughts aren’t facts, and we are free to think anything we like. Obsessive intrusive thoughts aren’t a reflection of our intentions or desires; in fact, they’re the opposite. Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, and that’s exactly why they’re so disturbing, they don’t align with our values or beliefs, and this misalignment is what causes so much guilt.
Take our dreams and nightmares, we can vividly picture and imagine wild scenarios every night. But when we wake up, we don’t dwell on them or obsess over what they might mean. We accept them for what they are.
Yet, when we experience vivid thoughts and feelings during the day, like intrusive thoughts, we struggle to move on. Why is that? Mostly because dreams are widely accepted as just that: dreams or nightmares.
OCD is also widely recognised, and yet people still cling to the idea that intrusive thoughts mean more than they actually do. Even with a full diagnosis, many still live in fear of their intrusive thoughts
Why do we continue to live in fear?
Uncertainty and doubt fuel OCD, and as long as we continue to doubt and live in fear, we remain trapped by obsessive thoughts. Up to now, what evidence do you have that your intrusive thoughts will come true? And what evidence do you have that they have come true? Reflect on this, have any of your intrusive thoughts ever come to fruition? Gather the evidence. Without evidence, why do you blindly believe these thoughts?
How many times have you fantasised about winning the lottery, becoming rich, or experiencing something good? How many of those thoughts actually came true? Why do we assume the “bad” is more likely to happen, but not the “good”? It’s because fear fuels the “bad” thoughts, along with uncertainty and doubt. But we have nothing to fear when it comes to good things happening.
This is just a small snippet of how we can start to view intrusive thoughts in a different light. I cover this in more detail in my book, which solely focuses on how to rationalise intrusive thoughts and help your mind begin to break down what they are, and why you shouldn’t fear them. Stop letting obsessive intrusive thoughts hold you back.
Please follow the link below to view the book on Amazon
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