@clevelandclinic: Intrusive thoughts are thoughts, images or urges that are unwanted but pop into your mind anyway. They’re often violent, disturbing or unnerving in nature. Though intrusive thoughts are often discussed in relation to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anyone can have them. Here are some of the ways they may appear: -Specific thoughts can crop up at random or in response to other situations. For example, if your parent gets ill, you might persistently worry about them dying. -Images are scenes that play out in your mind, like if someone cuts you off on the highway and you vividly envision running them off the road. -Urges are pressing thoughts that you should do something you don’t actually want to do, like if you dislike your job and feel compelled to walk out the door and never return. Importantly, the more you try to ignore an intrusive thought or push it away, the more likely it is to stick in your mind. Because intrusive thoughts can be so surprising and upsetting, it can feel like there must be a reason for them. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, they’re completely random. Intrusive thoughts can stem from other conditions, too: -Stress -Anxiety -OCD -Other mental health conditions -Lack of sleep -Hormonal imbalances Having intrusive thoughts doesn’t say anything about your character or your values. In the moment, thinking something scary or disturbing can make you feel deeply ashamed. But having a thought doesn’t mean you want to act on it. Remember: A hallmark of intrusive thoughts is that they’re unwanted. They’re thoughts you don’t want to have, about actions you don’t want to take.

475

2026-11-07 01:50:19

To see more videos from user @clevelandclinic, please go to the Tikwm homepage.