Oct 23, 2025 04:27 AM
(This post was last modified: Oct 23, 2025 04:42 AM by Magical Realist.)
I can't remember having any intrusive thoughts in my life except when I was overdosing on diet pills. The thoughts that I was being talked about or looked at in public were impossible to control. When my voices started, I thought they were coming from the neighbors in the next door apt. So I stayed in a motel that night, and was overwhelmed by the thought of a serial killer in the next room who could watch me and telepathically trigger me. It was unbelievable how relentless and autonomous these emotionally created ideations were. I empathize deeply now with others who experience similar mental intrusions.
"Have you ever had an unwanted thought or image stuck in your head? Usually, you can ignore it and move on. But sometimes, it just keeps popping right back up.
You don’t want to have these sticky, uncomfortable thoughts. So why do they happen to you? They're called “intrusive thoughts,” and nearly everyone has them from time to time. They can range from random images to disturbing and violent ideas such as punching someone in the face or hurting yourself.
They're usually harmless. But if you obsess about them so much that they interrupt your day-to-day life, this can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Intrusive Thoughts Examples
Intrusive thoughts can come in many forms.
Sexual thoughts. It’s natural to often have sexual thoughts. When you feel uncomfortable with or shocked by such thoughts, you may fixate on them and try hard to push them away. Experts say it’s best to remind yourself that these are just passing, automatic thoughts. They don’t define you in any way.
Violent thoughts. Your thoughts may have dark or violent themes such as hurting yourself or someone else. Often, they're just harmless, repetitive thoughts that you have no intention of acting on. You don’t even want them in your head. And they'll pass in time. But if you find yourself planning to follow through on your aggressive thoughts, you need professional help to manage your emotions. Talk to a doctor or a therapist.
Negative or self-doubt thoughts. Sometimes, when things don’t work out as planned, you might think of yourself as a “loser” or feel you’re not good enough. These thoughts should fade as your situation changes. But if they become overwhelming, you could have depression or anxiety. Talk to a mental health professional about how to control your symptoms.
Health-related thoughts. Contamination fears are a common type of intrusive thought. You may think about coming into contact with germs that can make you sick such as when you have to touch a doorknob in public, have sex with someone, or when you’re around dirt or other things out in nature.
Religious thoughts. You may constantly worry that the way you think is impure or sinful. Your thoughts may include doubt in your beliefs or fear that you may anger or offend your higher power in some way. Sacred images or phrases may pop into your mind all the time.
Public humiliation thoughts. You may have thoughts that you’ll do or say something embarrassing or inappropriate in public, such as swearing, having sex, or exposing yourself.
Death or suicidal thoughts. You may think about ways you might die or see flashes of suicidal behavior (such as cutting yourself). Intrusive thoughts of self-harm may often be the opposite of how you actually feel. But if you think you might hurt yourself, call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline right away.
Thoughts about the safety of yourself and loved ones. You may think about all the ways you or your loved ones might get hurt. This may include situations in or out of your home.
Trauma-related thoughts. Images or memories of bad things that have happened to you in the past may pop into your mind. These thoughts and emotions may be unpleasant enough to interrupt whatever you’re doing.
Other types of intrusive thoughts. You can also have bizarre, weird, or paranoid thoughts that are basically “junk” thoughts. You have no control over them, and most of the time, they have no meaning or relevance in your life. It’s best not to take them personally or pay much attention to them. But if they last a long time, or you keep having episodes of them, talk to your doctor to rule out an underlying mental disorder.
Are Intrusive Thoughts Normal?
Yes. According to one global survey, 93% of participants reported having at least one intrusive thought over 3 months. This holds true for folks with or without a diagnosed mental health condition. They only become a problem when they interrupt your daily life or cause a lot of anxiety.
How to Stop Intrusive Thoughts
At the end of the day, most intrusive thoughts are just thoughts. They're not a red flag or a signal that you actually want to do those disturbing things. If they bother you, you can take steps to cut down on their frequency and intensity.
Recognize and label them for what they are -- intrusive thoughts that you can’t control.
Just let them stay, instead of trying to push them away.
Accept that they will pass eventually.
Give yourself time for them to fade away.
Prepare yourself for unwanted thoughts to come back.
Continue to do whatever you were doing when the intrusive thoughts flooded your head.
Don’t:
Act or engage with these random, repetitive thoughts.
Try to question why you’re having them in the first place.
Look for meaning behind them.
Try to stop them. If you do this, you may fixate more on them.
This can be hard to do. But over time, being less sensitive to intrusive thoughts can reduce the emotional effect they may have on you. It also helps you feel more in control of them."
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/intrusive-thoughts
"Have you ever had an unwanted thought or image stuck in your head? Usually, you can ignore it and move on. But sometimes, it just keeps popping right back up.
You don’t want to have these sticky, uncomfortable thoughts. So why do they happen to you? They're called “intrusive thoughts,” and nearly everyone has them from time to time. They can range from random images to disturbing and violent ideas such as punching someone in the face or hurting yourself.
They're usually harmless. But if you obsess about them so much that they interrupt your day-to-day life, this can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Intrusive Thoughts Examples
Intrusive thoughts can come in many forms.
Sexual thoughts. It’s natural to often have sexual thoughts. When you feel uncomfortable with or shocked by such thoughts, you may fixate on them and try hard to push them away. Experts say it’s best to remind yourself that these are just passing, automatic thoughts. They don’t define you in any way.
Violent thoughts. Your thoughts may have dark or violent themes such as hurting yourself or someone else. Often, they're just harmless, repetitive thoughts that you have no intention of acting on. You don’t even want them in your head. And they'll pass in time. But if you find yourself planning to follow through on your aggressive thoughts, you need professional help to manage your emotions. Talk to a doctor or a therapist.
Negative or self-doubt thoughts. Sometimes, when things don’t work out as planned, you might think of yourself as a “loser” or feel you’re not good enough. These thoughts should fade as your situation changes. But if they become overwhelming, you could have depression or anxiety. Talk to a mental health professional about how to control your symptoms.
Health-related thoughts. Contamination fears are a common type of intrusive thought. You may think about coming into contact with germs that can make you sick such as when you have to touch a doorknob in public, have sex with someone, or when you’re around dirt or other things out in nature.
Religious thoughts. You may constantly worry that the way you think is impure or sinful. Your thoughts may include doubt in your beliefs or fear that you may anger or offend your higher power in some way. Sacred images or phrases may pop into your mind all the time.
Public humiliation thoughts. You may have thoughts that you’ll do or say something embarrassing or inappropriate in public, such as swearing, having sex, or exposing yourself.
Death or suicidal thoughts. You may think about ways you might die or see flashes of suicidal behavior (such as cutting yourself). Intrusive thoughts of self-harm may often be the opposite of how you actually feel. But if you think you might hurt yourself, call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline right away.
Thoughts about the safety of yourself and loved ones. You may think about all the ways you or your loved ones might get hurt. This may include situations in or out of your home.
Trauma-related thoughts. Images or memories of bad things that have happened to you in the past may pop into your mind. These thoughts and emotions may be unpleasant enough to interrupt whatever you’re doing.
Other types of intrusive thoughts. You can also have bizarre, weird, or paranoid thoughts that are basically “junk” thoughts. You have no control over them, and most of the time, they have no meaning or relevance in your life. It’s best not to take them personally or pay much attention to them. But if they last a long time, or you keep having episodes of them, talk to your doctor to rule out an underlying mental disorder.
Are Intrusive Thoughts Normal?
Yes. According to one global survey, 93% of participants reported having at least one intrusive thought over 3 months. This holds true for folks with or without a diagnosed mental health condition. They only become a problem when they interrupt your daily life or cause a lot of anxiety.
How to Stop Intrusive Thoughts
At the end of the day, most intrusive thoughts are just thoughts. They're not a red flag or a signal that you actually want to do those disturbing things. If they bother you, you can take steps to cut down on their frequency and intensity.
Recognize and label them for what they are -- intrusive thoughts that you can’t control.
Just let them stay, instead of trying to push them away.
Accept that they will pass eventually.
Give yourself time for them to fade away.
Prepare yourself for unwanted thoughts to come back.
Continue to do whatever you were doing when the intrusive thoughts flooded your head.
Don’t:
Act or engage with these random, repetitive thoughts.
Try to question why you’re having them in the first place.
Look for meaning behind them.
Try to stop them. If you do this, you may fixate more on them.
This can be hard to do. But over time, being less sensitive to intrusive thoughts can reduce the emotional effect they may have on you. It also helps you feel more in control of them."
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/intrusive-thoughts
