Hey there, fellow thinkers! Ever feel like your brain's playing a game of tug-of-war with your sanity? You're not alone. Intrusive thoughts can be like unwanted guests crashing the party in your mind, causing all sorts of chaos and stress. But fear not, because we're diving deep into the world of intrusive thoughts today and helpful ways for you to turn intrusive thinking into inner peace.

Did you know that a whopping 94 percent of adults have wrestled with intrusive thoughts in the last three months? Crazy, right? So, if you're feeling like your brain's been hijacked by a runaway train of negativity, you're in good company.

But here's the deal: understanding what these pesky thoughts are all about is the first step to taking back control. We'll unpack their origins, their impact on our mental well-being, and most importantly, how to kick them to the curb.

Picture this: you're minding your own business, and suddenly, BAM! Your brain decides to hit you with a mental curveball—a thought that's not just unwanted, but downright disturbing. We're talking about those pesky intrusive thoughts.

They come in all shapes and sizes, from imagining yourself doing something extreme like bungee jumping off a bridge with no safety, to fixating on something as innocent as germs. And oh, let's not forget the ones that throw violent scenarios into the mix, making you question your own sanity.

Now, here's the kicker: when these unwelcome thoughts crash the party, they often bring along some uninvited guests called guilt and shame. But here's the truth bomb—you're not a bad person for having them. Nope, not one bit.

Intrusive thoughts OCD

For some folks, dealing with these intrusive thoughts can turn into a full-blown battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It's like your brain's trying to play a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, and the only way to cope is by diving headfirst into repetitive behaviors.

So, let's call it like it is: intrusive thoughts are like that annoying friend who won't take the hint to leave.

Think of intrusive thoughts as problem solving something that doesn’t seem to have an answer. Maybe it never will.

So, how do we deal with these intrusive thoughts, i know that’s what you’re here for.
Let me break it down for you:

First off, when you notice one of these unwelcome visitors in your mind, don't panic. Seriously, it's crucial to acknowledge the thought without beating yourself up over it. Remember, just because you think it doesn't mean it defines who you are as a person.

Next, let that thought drift on by. Yeah, I know, easier said than done, right? But trust me, dwelling on it or trying to suppress it only gives it more power. We let it drift by, by not doing anything with it. Not making sense of it. Not doing a compulsions or behavior to go into detective mode. Not beating yourself up for having the thought.

We actually welcome thoughts. We’re not allowing one thought to have more power than another. When we don’t want to think of something, that tends to be the time our brain wants to think about it the most.

Some choose to give an answer to the thought like, hey thanks for that. Cool, there’s a thought. Some say, hey maybe that could happen. Some say, even if. Even if that were to happen, i’ll keep chugging along.

Some find it more helpful to do nothing. No acknowledgement of the thought. No answering. Nothing. This works as well. As long as it’s not a way to suppress the thought. It’s like leaving the gate open. The animals can come and go as they please, You’re not going to control it. You’re not even going to look out the window to see them because you’re too busy living life.

I know I make it sound easy. The biggest biggest thing is telling yourself. What can I do right now that is not problem-solving this thing? I can’t ask questions, research online, push the thought away. Try to make sense of it.

Maybe I smile when the thought comes to take value away from it. Even if it’s the scariest thought you can think of. Act like you don’t care about the thought and keep doing the things you want to do in life.
Now, here's what NOT to do: don't let these thoughts rule the roost. Don't fall into the trap of overanalyzing them or using unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with them. Substance abuse? Nope, not the answer.

If you find yourself constantly battling these intrusive thoughts, it might be time to take a step back and evaluate your surroundings. Are there certain triggers or stressors that seem to bring them on? Maybe it's time to limit your exposure to those situations and prioritize some self-care.

Outside of OCD and anxiety, there are external factors that come into play. If i’m not sleeping, I may be more prone to having thoughts. If I’m not eating. Socializing, working, living life. So it can be helpful to focus on these things as well. Self-care is important.

So if you just watched this and thought. I still don’t know what to do…think about this. The goal of treating intrusive thoughts aren’t to get them to go away. If that’s the goal, you’ll be disappointed. It’s to change your relationship with them. Smile. Act like you don’t care. Don’t give them any power. They mean nothing to you unless you put meaning on them. Some choose to write them all out, and smile, laugh, say maybe. Sure, thanks for the thought. You’re welcome to keep coming back.

They celebrate each time the thought keeps coming back. While this is a general overview of treatment. I go into more depth in my online OCD course that teaches you step-by-step what to do. If you’re not sure if you have OCD, I’ve got some tests as well. I’ll list those in the comments.
So, be kind to yourself, stay mindful, and keep pushing forward. You got this! Those thoughts have nothing on you. The next “scary” thought you have. Maybe you smile. Embrace the feelings. Make no sense of them. Because you can and you’re awesome.