Intrusive thoughts are normal

[Magical Realist]

Ever play out in your head some gory horrible event that never happens. Just for the heck of it? Then most likely you just had an intrusive thought. It doesn't make you a bad person. It just makes you normal. Here are 7 more examples of intrusive thoughts:

https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/obsess...s-examples

Every day we have thousands of thoughts. Most of them create a background hum that we don’t notice. But every once in a while, a random thought will catch our attention.

Sometimes these unexpected thoughts may just be absurd. Other times, they might be violent, sexual, or otherwise distressing. These are examples of intrusive thoughts.

Everyone has intrusive thoughts from time to time. Most people can brush them off. But some people have a mental health condition that leads to more frequent intrusive thoughts that are hard to ignore.

Here we will look at some common examples of intrusive thoughts. We’ll also look at what mental health conditions they might be associated with and how to find help for intrusive thoughts.

What counts as an intrusive thought?

Intrusive thoughts are random thoughts with no connection to what you’re in the middle of doing. They seem to pop up out of the blue. Nearly everyone has intrusive thoughts.

All thoughts are the result of brain activity — the brain generates an estimated 6,200 thoughts per day. Not all those thoughts will be relevant or even accurate. You could even consider some of them “junk” thoughts, meaning they are random or meaningless.

Intrusive thoughts can be about anything. But negative intrusive thoughts are the ones that tend to stick with you or cause distress. Negative intrusions are unwanted thoughts about topics that you find disgusting or disturbing. They may be violent, sexual, or otherwise go against your values.

Seven common intrusive thought examples

There are many types of intrusive thoughts that can lead to feelings such as fear, shame, guilt, or distress. A few common examples of unwanted intrusive thoughts include:

1) The thought of hurting a baby or child
If you’re a new parent, you may have experienced intrusive thoughts about your baby’s well-being. Your thoughts might be related to accidental harm. But your intrusive thoughts could be about harming your child on purpose. One study estimated that nearly half of new parents had this type of intrusive thought.

2) Thoughts of doing something violent or illegal
Intrusive thoughts about being violent or doing something illegal are also common. These are not actions you want to do. But the thoughts can make you question yourself. Violent intrusive thoughts can be vivid and cause great distress if you are unable to brush them off.

3) Thoughts that cause doubt
Doubts are one of the most common types of intrusive thoughts. Doubts can be about big or small aspects of your life. For example, intrusive thoughts might cause you to doubt your relationship or question your sexual orientation. Or you may doubt whether you turned off the stove, locked the door, or sent your text message to the right person.

4) Unexpected reminders about painful past events
Some people experience unwanted intrusive thoughts related to past trauma. These intrusive thoughts are often triggered by something around you. For example, a certain smell or location might trigger an unwanted memory. However, you may not always know what triggered or caused the thoughts.

5) Worries about catching germs or a serious illness
Concerns about contamination — or germs — are common intrusive thoughts. Some people may worry about getting sick or spreading illness even when the risk is low. These intrusive thoughts can lead to obsessive concerns about your health and result in behaviors like excessive hand-washing.

6) Concern you might do something embarrassing
You may have recurring worries about embarrassing yourself in front of other people. Your intrusive thoughts may be about shouting, saying, or doing something inappropriate in a public space. Sometimes the intrusive thoughts can be related to a past memory — like feeling embarrassed as a child.

7) Intrusive sexual thoughts
You’re not alone if you have unwanted thoughts related to sexual acts you consider taboo. Some people have intrusive thoughts about having sex with children, even though they would never act on the thoughts. It can be difficult to talk about intrusive sexual thoughts, which may prevent you from reaching out for help.

[RainbowUnicorn]

i have OCD obsessive thoughts & also have voices in my head
some times the voices are speaking to me other times they are arguing with other people

i take anti psychotic medication for it and it helps a bit

there is a big difference between getting a thought stuck in your head and having a psychiatric illness of obsessive thoughts.

its like part of my brain is broken & the only thing i can do to maintain my sanity is to take meds & sometimes other drugs.

---

Ever play out in your head some gory horrible event that never happens. Just for the heck of it? Then most likely you just had an intrusive thought. It doesn't make you a bad person. It just makes you normal. Here are 7 more examples of intrusive thoughts:

https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/obsess...s-examples

Every day we have thousands of thoughts. Most of them create a background hum that we don’t notice. But every once in a while, a random thought will catch our attention.

Sometimes these unexpected thoughts may just be absurd. Other times, they might be violent, sexual, or otherwise distressing. These are examples of intrusive thoughts.

Everyone has intrusive thoughts from time to time. Most people can brush them off. But some people have a mental health condition that leads to more frequent intrusive thoughts that are hard to ignore.

Here we will look at some common examples of intrusive thoughts. We’ll also look at what mental health conditions they might be associated with and how to find help for intrusive thoughts.

What counts as an intrusive thought?

Intrusive thoughts are random thoughts with no connection to what you’re in the middle of doing. They seem to pop up out of the blue. Nearly everyone has intrusive thoughts.

All thoughts are the result of brain activity — the brain generates an estimated 6,200 thoughts per day. Not all those thoughts will be relevant or even accurate. You could even consider some of them “junk” thoughts, meaning they are random or meaningless.

Intrusive thoughts can be about anything. But negative intrusive thoughts are the ones that tend to stick with you or cause distress. Negative intrusions are unwanted thoughts about topics that you find disgusting or disturbing. They may be violent, sexual, or otherwise go against your values.

Seven common intrusive thought examples

There are many types of intrusive thoughts that can lead to feelings such as fear, shame, guilt, or distress. A few common examples of unwanted intrusive thoughts include:

1) The thought of hurting a baby or child
If you’re a new parent, you may have experienced intrusive thoughts about your baby’s well-being. Your thoughts might be related to accidental harm. But your intrusive thoughts could be about harming your child on purpose. One study estimated that nearly half of new parents had this type of intrusive thought.

2) Thoughts of doing something violent or illegal
Intrusive thoughts about being violent or doing something illegal are also common. These are not actions you want to do. But the thoughts can make you question yourself. Violent intrusive thoughts can be vivid and cause great distress if you are unable to brush them off.

3) Thoughts that cause doubt
Doubts are one of the most common types of intrusive thoughts. Doubts can be about big or small aspects of your life. For example, intrusive thoughts might cause you to doubt your relationship or question your sexual orientation. Or you may doubt whether you turned off the stove, locked the door, or sent your text message to the right person.

4) Unexpected reminders about painful past events
Some people experience unwanted intrusive thoughts related to past trauma. These intrusive thoughts are often triggered by something around you. For example, a certain smell or location might trigger an unwanted memory. However, you may not always know what triggered or caused the thoughts.

5) Worries about catching germs or a serious illness
Concerns about contamination — or germs — are common intrusive thoughts. Some people may worry about getting sick or spreading illness even when the risk is low. These intrusive thoughts can lead to obsessive concerns about your health and result in behaviors like excessive hand-washing.

6) Concern you might do something embarrassing
You may have recurring worries about embarrassing yourself in front of other people. Your intrusive thoughts may be about shouting, saying, or doing something inappropriate in a public space. Sometimes the intrusive thoughts can be related to a past memory — like feeling embarrassed as a child.

7) Intrusive sexual thoughts
You’re not alone if you have unwanted thoughts related to sexual acts you consider taboo. Some people have intrusive thoughts about having sex with children, even though they would never act on the thoughts. It can be difficult to talk about intrusive sexual thoughts, which may prevent you from reaching out for help.

1, "smash the baby" Desires (hurting living animals)
is a normal part of mental development and you see it develop in small children, ... around the age of 3 to 4 years old it starts.

some adults never develop past it and beat babys to death
mostly males but occasionally mothers

[Magical Realist]

I have voices too but they aren't intrusive. They only speak when I listen for them. We are on very good terms and exchange pleasantries now and then. They are like my children. I learned without medication they become very insistent and aggressive. So I take olanzipine along with effexor for depression. Amazing how one tiny pill can turn my voices from mean to nice.

[RainbowUnicorn]

I have voices too but they aren't intrusive. They only speak when I listen for them. We are on very good terms and exchange pleasantries now and then. They are like my children. I learned without medication they become very insistent and aggressive. So I take olanzipine along with effexor for depression. Amazing how one tiny pill can turn my voices from mean to nice.

sounds like good meds
mine are not that great, maybe i should ask my doctor about trialing olanzipine

[Magical Realist]

The only bad thing about olanzipine it makes you gain weight (roughly about 15-20 lbs). I'm looking to change to another med because of that.

[confused2]

I have an unwanted intrusion in the form of 'gloom'. My mother complained if it before she died - I didn't understand at the time. With hindsight I think perhaps what she needed was a hug from her son. She seems to have passed it on to me - with no mother and no children I seem to be stuck with it.

[Secular Sanity]

I have an unwanted intrusion in the form of 'gloom'.  My mother complained if it before she died - I didn't understand at the time. With hindsight I think perhaps what she needed  was a hug from her son. She seems to have passed it on to me - with no mother and no children I seem to be stuck with it.

According to ChatGPT, gloom is not typically considered an intrusive thought.

Happiness is often portrayed as the ultimate goal or state of being in many societies and cultures. People are constantly bombarded with messages that suggest that happiness is the key to a fulfilling life and that it should be pursued at all costs. This can create unrealistic expectations and put undue pressure on individuals to achieve and maintain a constant state of happiness.

Moreover,

according to ChatGPT, happiness is a subjective and transient emotion that can be affected by a variety of factors, including life circumstances, genetics, and personal beliefs and values. Therefore, the pursuit of happiness may not always be a realistic or meaningful goal, as it may lead to disappointment and a sense of failure when it cannot be achieved or sustained.

Finally, the emphasis on happiness can also obscure the value of other emotions, such as sadness, anger, and frustration, which are equally important and can provide valuable information about our needs, desires, and values. By focusing exclusively on happiness, we may miss out on important opportunities for personal growth and self-awareness.

In summary, while happiness is certainly a desirable emotion, it is important to recognize its limitations and the potential downsides of placing too much emphasis on its pursuit.

Would a hug from MRS. C2 suffice?

[confused2]

Thank you.
-C2.