If you spend time on social media, you may have seen memes about what happens when intrusive thoughts win. But for people who are struggling to break negative thinking habits, intrusive thoughts aren’t anything to laugh about. These thoughts can be a source of great distress, but obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment can help.
Occasional intrusive thoughts happen to almost everyone. However, people living with certain mental health disorders can be plagued with unwanted and unpleasant thoughts that impact their quality of life. If you or someone you know could benefit from treatment to help dispel intrusive thoughts, call Promises today at 888.483.7451.
Types of Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts can be about anything, but they are typically unpleasant. Any thought that disrupts your regular habits or interferes with your behavior could be considered an intrusive thought.
An example of such a thought would be, “If I don’t wear the right shoes today, something bad will happen.”
The thought itself has no real meaning. Someone who doesn’t struggle with ruminating or obsessive negative thinking can dismiss the thought as peculiar and go on with their day.
However, another person might become paralyzed as the thought repeats over and over in their head. That person might spend the entire morning changing their shoes, agonizing over which pair is the “right” pair to prevent disaster.
Intrusive thoughts often revolve around these common fears:
- Behaving strangely or saying something strange in public
- Sexual behaviors or situations
- Violent behavior or harming others
- Germs, contamination, and disease
- Self-doubt or being unable to complete tasks because you may do them wrong
These thoughts can appear as images or as fully developed ideas. Trying to control intrusive thoughts on your own can make the cycle worse, but there are effective methods for coping with this form of obsessive thinking.
How Can You Change Negative Thinking Patterns?
You may not be able to stop intrusive thoughts completely, but you can learn how to manage them. The first step is to get a mental health checkup. Obsessive unwanted thoughts could be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, an eating disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
If you are experiencing any of these mental health concerns, evidence-based therapies aimed directly at treating the disorder can also offer relief from episodes of intrusive thinking.
Treatment for managing intrusive thoughts may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, and self-care practices.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a type of short-term therapy that can help clients become less vulnerable to distress due to unwanted thoughts. A therapist might expose a client to situations that trigger intrusive thoughts so the client can learn to react differently in a safe, controlled setting.
Medication
Along with therapy, medications can offer relief from obsessive negative thinking. These might include commonly prescribed antidepressants used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Self-Care
Good self-care habits can go a long way in improving mental health on all levels. These habits start with eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Learning to recognize an intrusive thought for what it is — just a thought — is also important.
Taking actions that interrupt the cycle of obsessive thinking can be helpful. When intrusive thoughts begin to take over, try going for a walk, writing in a journal, or calling a friend. Engaging in mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation can also help.
Change Your Unwanted Thinking Patterns With Help From Promises
Intrusive thoughts can be distressing, especially when they interfere with your life. Everyone experiences an occasional unpleasant or unwanted thought, but when you feel your thoughts are not in your control or you feel compelled to follow through with unwanted impulses, you might benefit from treatment.
Promises offers mental health treatment programs, including programs for PTSD and OCD. Call Promises today at 888.483.7451 or use our online contact form to learn more about managing all types of negative thinking.