Intrusive thoughts.

[Joshua_B]

I haven’t had intrusive thoughts for a while, but now they’re back and they’re really intense. I know that the intrusive thoughts are egodystonic and false, being the opposite of my values, ethics, principles and morals. The intrusive thoughts try to confuse me and then manipulate my thought processes, and it tries to do this nonstop. My psychologist and psychiatrist have both said that it is egodystonic. I am following the advice from the professionals and trying my best to avoid reassurance and any emotional reaction to the intrusive thoughts. I’m also writing my intrusive thoughts in a journal to desensitise myself to the intrusive thoughts. Recent stresses in the household may have caused another session of intrusive thoughts to occur. I’m using the Headspace, RainRain and TheMighty apps. I am seeking as much help as possible and I am using my social network as much as I can. I am using as many analogies as I can to strategise as to how to cope with and selectively ignore the egodystonic intrusive thoughts. Is there any other strategy that I can do to ignore these intrusive thoughts successfully?

[Guest_206]

Hi there everyone,
I too am getting intrusive thoughts that are in conflict with my values and beliefs. They're awful and embarrassing and so far I have just been telling myself "Oh it's just an intrusive thought" when it happens. I haven't had a chance to speak to my psyc yet about it cause of other stuff going on. It's happening more so recently for some reason.

Tom29 - I'm sorry it's been so debilitating for you.

[Guest_206]

And I forgot to say thank you to Joshua B for teaching me the egodystonic word - that is definately what is happening with the intrusive thoughts. I wonder why our brains do this to us? It's such a weird thing...

[Petal22]

Hello Joshu B,

i had severe OCD ... due to my intrusive thoughts..... I was diagnosed with this condition by a psychiatrist.... I have now recovered...

I recovered by seeing my gp through to doing group therapy sessions with trainees at a university that specialised in OCD..... you can recover from this condition with the correct help...

I was taught mindfulness, meditation, how to challenge my thoughts and how not to get caught up in my ocd cycle..... you can be free of OCD you don’t need to remain in its grip.....

when you have the thoughts just try to let them be there don’t put your attention on it... the more we give attention to our intrusive thoughts the more they come back because the brain thinks they important.... what we give attention to we give power to.....

when you have them practice mindfulness..... instead of focusing on the thought.... don’t question the thought or interact with it in any way...

it all takes practice

id recommend you see your gp for what you are experiencing.... I was put on a antidepressant which really helped with my level of anxiety and see if they can refer you to some one who specialises in OCD.....

im here if you want to chat ......

[geoff]

Hello Guest and those who have also posted, we mustn't forget that everybody does have intrusive thoughts but they don't become obsessive and are able to move on and get on with their day, differently from someone suffering from OCD where they cause a great deal of distress and keep recurring, maybe with much more intensity.

Not to be confused with reoccurring happens again but not always repeatedly.

We are able to say they are 'intrusive thoughts' but the way they are able to impact our life is a worry we have to try and contend with.

As I've had this illness for 60 odd years, I've learnt to realise that I won't carry out any of these thoughts, so now I'm not concerned by any of them, but I know and understand how those who are struggling with them feel and very sorry for you.

Take care.

Geoff.