Intrusive thoughts: what they are and how to deal with them

[littlemissmartypants]

https://goodwordnews.com/intrusive-thoughts-what-they-are-and-how-to-deal-with-them/

By Sara Adm
CNN

Have you ever been hiking with your partner when you suddenly imagine pushing them off a cliff? Or, on your way home from work, you can’t shake the feeling that you hit someone with your car without realizing it? What if liking your coworker’s cologne and worrying must mean you don’t like your husband?

These are intrusive thoughts, which are “repetitive, unwanted thoughts that can appear seemingly out of nowhere,” said Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist based in New York state and author of the upcoming book “Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being.

Intrusive thoughts can be about anything, but often the content is violent, sexually inappropriate, disturbing, or at odds with the person’s values ​​or character, causing the person experiencing them to experience great anxiety, disgust, or distress. , according to experts.

Regardless of the nature of the content, its target is often what people are most interested in, said Stephanie Woodrow, clinical director of the National Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center in Washington, DC.

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[multigraincracker]

1. My problem is the opposite.

I have ADD and can’t hold any thought for very long.
My cure for everything is more steps and more vitamin B12.

[NJCher]

2. find this very disturbing

I read this thread early this morning and thought about it off and on throughout the day. I decided to come back and comment.

I clicked on the thread because I do daily focus sessions where I concentrate on keeping my mind completely clear. I just focus on a blue ball or my breathing. I do this about 40" a day.

There are forms of this called meditation. I don't call it that because of religious connotations and I am not religious. It's a way of training your mind to not let clutter rule it. There are many advantages, such as better emotional outlook, reduced stress, better physical health, etc. These are well documented through scientific studies and have been for a long time.

This article and the fact that there are people who do this--well, it horrified me. I can't even imagine thinking something like that. It's so, so disturbing.

In focus discussions, it is often said "you are not your thoughts," and that is repeated in this article.

I do a lot of reading on the topic on focused thinking, but have never read anything on this particular and peculiar (at least to me) intrusive thought. Prior to this, my idea of an intrusive thought was "I have to clean up the dishes," or "I need to get the car washed," and that sort of thing. Real humdrum stuff compared to this.

I am having trouble determining where such thoughts come from. And why so malicious?

I don't mean to make myself out to be a pristine person. I think horrible thoughts under certain circumstances, like in the grocery store if someone is blocking my way. I will think about yelling "move!" or shoving their cart out of the way. I don't do this, of course. But I do sometimes think less civilized thoughts. But that is not the same as what's discussed in this article. Those thoughts are horrific.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. I agree. It's very scary and also really sad.

Mental illness takes so many forms and this is no doubt a debilitating problem. I thought it was informative and important to share.

We never really know the challenges others have. It is important to try and understand them, all the more.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, NJCher.
❤️

[NJCher]

4. --

And likewise, littlemissmartypants. This is important to know.

[LiberalArkie]

5. Is it wrong thoughts when you think of Tom Cotton and Don Trump being drawn and quartered?

Just asking for a friend.