Impulsive or Intrusive?

There’s a big difference between impulsive and intrusive thoughts, and confusing the two can lead to misunderstandings and misinformation about what intrusive thoughts actually are. Impulsive thoughts typically reflect our real desires, even if their consequences may not always be ideal. Intrusive thoughts, on the other hand, are things that we absolutely do NOT want to come true. They’re typically the total opposite of our actual desires, and acting on these unwanted thoughts is often the worst fear of those struggling with them. While nearly everyone experiences intrusive thoughts, if they’re causing you intense distress and affecting your quality of life, or you find yourself trying to get rid of the distress by engaging in ritualistic behaviors or thought processes, you could be dealing with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). If you want a better understanding of how to deal with your intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Use the link in our bio to book a free call and get matched with an OCD specialist today.

Steven55!

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 22d

Question to staff: are you stating that an OCD-related impulse, such as a harm impulse, is consistent with someone's actual desires, that s/he actually wants to act on them? Or, are you stating that an episode such as this is not really an impulse but an unwanted thought? Please clarify...

truetrev

Date posted: 22d

@Steven55! An “OCD impulse” is an intrusive thought, not an actual impulse.

truetrev

Date posted: 22d

@Steven55! They could not possibly know if an OCD impulse is related to someone’s actual desires, only the person feeling it knows that. If it feels muddled and unclear, its OCD.

Anonymous

Date posted: 22d

@truetrev I think there can sometimes be both at the same time. Especially with gender, sexuality or interpersonal relationships. Maybe also if you have pure O combined with ADHD. Still OCD intrusive thought is about uncertainty and compulsion about reassurance. Impulsive thought would be in sync with what we want and would express our feelings.

Mackenzie - ...

User type: Staff

Date posted: 21d

Hi! Thanks for reaching out! I am linking an article from the NOCD library section of our website that I think you will find helpful!

Mackenzie - ...

User type: Staff

Date posted: 21d

https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/how-to-overcome-harm-ocd-treatment-erp

ElusiveButte...

Date posted: 21d

@Anonymous I have adhd and ocd and this pic almost triggered me. I struggle a lot with knowing what my actual values are because I’m torn between the impulsivity/intrusive thoughts. Both feel urgent and the impulsive thoughts still feel distressing a lot of the time. My OCD wanted me to read the image as “you actually are a bad person because you struggle with impulsivity and that must mean you really want to do all of those things” This graphic isn’t super helpful for me it just made me start obsessing over whether my thoughts are impulsive or intrusive 😅 time to accept some uncertainty and understand that my thoughts are not me.

julianofnorwich

Date posted: 25d

This is the best thing eve4

Justmesadly

Date posted: 23d

Thank you for posting this! Even people in the ocd community get this wrong

notanonymous2

Date posted: 20d

For example, if overeating/ just eating is a compulsion would this not be considered an impulse? Like I want to eat to make myself feel better but also I know I’m not hungry and can’t stop myself.

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