What social media gets wrong about intrusive thoughts

You’ve probably seen it: Someone gets bangs or spontaneously buys an expensive gadget they don’t need and jokes that they “let the intrusive thoughts win.” It's all over social media, and if you live with OCD, you might know how jarring it can feel to watch something so painful be turned into a punchline. Intrusive thoughts in OCD aren’t fun, impulsive ideas. They’re ego-dystonic—meaning they go against everything you value and believe about yourself—and they’re typically upsetting, frightening, or disturbing. When they’re treated as a joke, it reinforces the myth that people act on intrusive thoughts, even though that’s often the last thing someone with OCD wants to do. We’re breaking down what the viral trend gets wrong, how intrusive thoughts actually work, and why the right treatment can help you see that these thoughts do not define you or predict your future actions.

mina61402

Date posted: 22d

I didn't realize the part about ego dystonia. What if I have lived with the obsessions and compulsions so long that i do start to believe these frightening things ARE my values and and who i truly am?

Anonymous

Date posted: 21d

I've been there! It's the OCD that causes us to assign a deeper meaning and believe the intrusive thoughts are who we are. It completely turned my life upside down when I found out how OCD works and that my obsessions don't actually mean anything about me at all. ACT skills of learning to identify your values and live based on them, regardless of what's going on in your head, were helpful for me. And ERP will teach you how to respond differently to the obsessions instead of giving in to compulsions.

Anonymous

Date posted: 18d

@mina61402 That is the nastiest part of OCD! If it was just the thoughts that made me hurt that would be one thing, but the idea that those thoughts might reflect my true self was terrifying. Luckily thoughts are, in fact, just that—thoughts. It still gets pretty scary though!

mina61402

Date posted: 16d

@Anonymous Yes it does get reallt scary. I agree that it would be so much easier if we didnt doubt our own hearts because of thoughts. Thanks for your reply. You're not alone :)

Nia18

Date posted: 12d

This is what happened to me. I convinced myself I was a sociopath. I cried and felt so sick. I made a plan that I was going to live empty

NotAgain

Date posted: 23d

Yes! Big difference between intrusive thoughts and impulsive actions!

cexienl_10

Date posted: 22d

As someone who has struggled with the worst intrusive thoughts that about ended my life… I HATED that trend. “Letting the intrusive thoughts win” was my biggest fear and what kept me sick for so long. So thankful for NOCD and the life saving work they are doing! 🤍

a.lea

Date posted: 14d

on the bright side i often see people calling out and correcting others who use the phrase like this

Anonymous

Date posted: 24d

That's incredible

Sara2005

Date posted: 22d

I love this

Chispita16

Date posted: 4d

It’s so inconsiderate when people say that they let the intrusive thoughts win but then go and say they have ocd because the sticker on their water bottle isn’t straight like….okay does your Brain tell you the worst will happen because of that sticker? If not then your just picky and a perfectionist and there is nothing wrong with that but people saying that is just so inconsiderate and makes people with ocd feel unseen😔

Avery Stanton

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 8d

For real! Also hate it when people are “neat freaks” or germaphobes and say that they have ocd. Not the same thing.

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