Can intrusive thoughts be about anything?

An intrusive thought is characterized by something so unwanted it brings you almost debilitating emotional distress.

Definitely

Thank you for responding!

I wonder that as well. This sounds crazy but my ex constantly pops in my head, like, if I read a "lovey" card (like for an anniversary or something) he'll just pop in my mind. It used to be so bad. Anytime is hug or kiss my boyfriend my ex would pop up. It freaks me out because I think I'm not over him, the thought of my ex being with someone else doesn't phase me anymore. I don't care what he does. But him (and others) popping up freaks me out.

Angel faith I totally relate to what you’re saying! They keep popping up because they’re intrusive thoughts and unfortunately we’re just going to have to expose ourselves to them and sit with the anxiety until eventually it subsides. The more we try to avoid thinking about it and these ‘pop ups’, the more they’ll happen and our minds will obsess over it until we do behaviours to give is initial relief until it happens again. It doesn’t mean we love them or aren’t over them and don’t love our new partners, it’s ocd being a bitchhhhh!!

My compulsion is seeking reassurance from others and confessing to checking his Facebook or logging into his account as I can’t help but check when he pops into my head almost to like check he’s talking badly about me and I have no feelings for him still and sometimes just out of curiosity then I feel guilty and worry that I’m not over him or that I’m cheating on my boyfriend by being interested in his messages but I know deep down I’m not and it’s probably an ocd thing and seeking reassurance is annoying people and I just need to sit with it and let it slip by

Oh the guilt!! It's horrible, I get thoughts that I've cheated too. I'll think I've cheated and somehow it got deleted from my momory.

Omg same! It’s horrible! And whenever I talk to a guy, particularly this guy I work with which I did things with in the past I feel like I have to reiterate the whole thing to my boyfriend, even if it’s literally just a laugh about the work, so if there’s any cheating he will know so I don’t feel like I’m being sneaky or anything. I know it’s annoying because hes then like why are you sending me that? And on occasion wonders if I’m doing it as an attempt to make him jealous which I’m really not because that’s the opposite of what I want! I never realised it was ocd until now! Honestly this disorder is so irrational and embarrassing sometimes!!!

Oh and to top it all off, if I find someone even remotely attractive I automatically think I like them. Like I've got feelings for them and I have to tell my boyfriend because if I don't I'm horrible.

Same! ?

Added you

Thank you for responding. It’s just crazy how they come out of nowhere. The bring so much stress and anxiety. Hoping this will pass