Understanding Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts, images, urges or doubts that can suddenly enter someone’s mind. They can be disturbing, frightening, upsetting or completely inconsistent with what a person actually believes or wants.

Intrusive thoughts are experienced by many people, not only those with OCD. With OCD, however, someone may become particularly distressed by the thought, question what it means about them or feel an overwhelming need to gain certainty that their fear isn’t true.

An intrusive thought is not the same as an intention or desire. Having a thought does not mean you agree with it, want it or will act on it.

Intrusive Thoughts Can Take Many Forms

  • Harm

    Unwanted thoughts or images involving harm coming to yourself or somebody else.

  • Relationships

    Persistent doubts about relationships, feelings, attraction or whether you’ve made the “right” decision.

  • Contamination

    Thoughts or fears involving germs, illness, bodily fluids, chemicals or other forms of contamination.

  • Responsibility

    Fear that something terrible could happen because of something you did, didn’t do or might have overlooked.

  • Morality & Religion

    Unwanted thoughts that conflict with someone’s moral values, beliefs or religious faith.

  • Mistakes & Uncertainty

    Persistent doubts about whether you’ve done something correctly, forgotten something important or made a serious mistake.

These are only examples. OCD can attach itself to many different subjects, and the theme of someone’s intrusive thoughts can change over time.

When A Thought Feels Important

Intrusive thoughts can become particularly distressing when someone begins treating their presence as evidence that they mean something important.

This can lead to questions such as: “Why did I think that?”, “What if this means something about me?” or “How can I be completely certain this won’t happen?”

Trying to achieve absolute certainty can keep someone focused on the thought and increase the urge to analyse it, seek reassurance or perform other compulsions.

The intensity of the anxiety can make the thought feel important, but feeling frightened by a thought doesn’t make it true.

Trying To Make The Thought Go Away

When an intrusive thought causes distress, it can be natural to want immediate reassurance or certainty.

Someone might repeatedly check something, search online for answers, ask another person for reassurance, avoid situations that trigger the thought or mentally analyse what happened.

These responses may provide temporary relief. However, with OCD they can become compulsions that reinforce the cycle by teaching the brain that the intrusive thought requires a response.

Recognising this pattern can be an important part of understanding OCD.

Thoughts Don’t Define Character

One of the most frightening aspects of OCD can be experiencing thoughts that seem completely opposed to your personality, values or beliefs.

People may feel ashamed or frightened to tell anybody what they’re experiencing because they worry they will be judged or misunderstood.

Having an unwanted intrusive thought doesn’t define your character. People should be able to seek appropriate support without being shamed for thoughts they did not choose to have.

When Intrusive Thoughts Are Affecting Your Life

If intrusive thoughts and the behaviours surrounding them are causing significant distress or interfering with everyday life, professional support is available.

OCD is treatable. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) incorporating Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an established psychological treatment for OCD. A GP or qualified mental health professional can help you explore appropriate support and treatment.

Sen-tastic resources can help with understanding and shared experiences, but they aren’t a replacement for individual medical or mental health advice.

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You Don’t Have To Feel Ashamed Of Your Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts can feel incredibly isolating, particularly when you’re frightened about what they might mean. Sen-tastic aims to provide a space where difficult experiences can be discussed with understanding and without judgement.

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