Intrusive thoughts are one of the hallmarks of OCD, and they can be incredibly disturbing and distressing for the person experiencing them. However, when intrusive thoughts are persistent, they can be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, or depression. These thoughts can be violent, sexual, or even blasphemous, and they can cause feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety.
A common misconception about intrusive thoughts is that the person having them is a bad person. This however is far from true. In fact, intrusive thoughts can be managed by addressing the underlying mental health condition.
1. Identify the triggers:
The first step in coping with intrusive thoughts is to identify what triggers them. Triggers can be situations, people, emotions, or physical sensations. Identifying triggers can help manage them with the right strategies.
2. Challenge the thoughts:
Intrusive thoughts are often based on irrational fears or beliefs. Challenging these thoughts can help one see them for what they really are, irrational, thus reducing their power.
3. Practice mindfulness:
Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your intrusive thoughts and allow you to sit with them instead of reacting to them. Those thoughts are not facts, so sit with them with curiosity.
4. Engage in physical activity:
Regular exercise can improve a person’s overall mood, leaving them in a relaxed and calm state of mind. It can also help manage intrusive thoughts and reduce their impact on one’s life.
5. Talk to someone:
Sharing intrusive thoughts with a trusted family member, friend, or a therapist can help reduce the impact of intrusive thoughts. One can gain perspective and learn new strategies to cope with these thoughts.
6. Grounding techniques:
7. Building a routine:
Providing structure and predictability to one’s day can help one manage intrusive thoughts.
Coping with intrusive thoughts can be challenging but it is doable with the right strategies and techniques. It is important to remember that the nature of one’s intrusive thoughts are noway reflection of one’s character.
Be on the move, practice mindfulness, and expunge the power of intrusive thoughts.
However if these thoughts are interfering with your daily activities, seek professional help at the earliest for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
At Asha Neuromodulation Clinics, for the first time in India, we are offering deep TMS therapy to treat the symptoms of OCD, anxiety, depression, and nicotine dependence.