Unwanted mental images are common in OCD—and commonly misunderstood.

Intrusive thoughts are often portrayed as “what if” questions, and those are very real and very common. But intrusive thoughts don’t always show up that way. For many people, they come as vivid, unwanted mental images, flashes, or scenes that feel scary, inappropriate, or upsetting. Because this doesn’t match how intrusive thoughts are usually talked about, it can leave people feeling confused, alarmed, or worried that something else is wrong with them. These experiences are actually far more common than most people realize, especially for those dealing with OCD or anxiety. If this resonates with you, know that you’re not broken and you’re not alone. If intrusive thoughts are starting to take over your day, evidence based treatment like ERP can help. Book a free call to take the first step toward feeling better. https://learn.nocd.com/app-book-a-call

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rbonnieg

Date posted: 11d

I really struggle with this. It adds an extra level of distress to not only think of something awful but also see it. I’ll usually shake my head to shake it away like it’s an etch-a-sketch lol. That or blinking it away to kind of refresh my visuals and pay attention to what is really visible irl

Ike72

Date posted: 11d

Intrusive images can really steal away almost all of my active attention and often cause me to look away and disengage with people, which often leads to misunderstandings

Scaredycat C...

Date posted: 11d

They can be really scary. Some days are easier to deal with them than others. Sometimes it’s alot all day!

HOY

Date posted: 9d

This slides just remind me, Ive found my people on here. I felt alone

Anonymous

Date posted: 9d

They’re just like verbal or word based intrusive thoughts but much worse because they can be so vivid. I don’t struggle with this as much as I did before I started ERP but it still sneaks up on me sometimes

Nemessis

Date posted: 11d

They really hurt. Especially when they are inappropriate and you see something happening as a viewer and need compulsions, so it doesn't happen...😢

mushroombe

Date posted: 10d

Guhhh, these are a doozy, especially when you're trying to sleep, since hypnogogic hallucinations are normal as your brain transitions from wakefulness to sleep.

PhoenixForce

Date posted: 8d

It is horrible and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

rdev

Date posted: 2d

My sis and I both have OCD but I struggle with the mental images where she doesn’t. She thought it may be because I’m a more creative type, like OCD randomly hijacks my creativity- curious if you guys who struggle with this also relate?

daniwp

Date posted: 2d

@rdev I only have intrusive images and intrusive sensations. But I am also a visual only thinker. And I didn’t even know until recently that most people think in words. I don’t really think “what if”, it’s more like a quick “movie trailer” of doom and it looks so real it’s scary. But clearly I experience OCD this way because of how my brain thinks. So your creativity is kinda how you think, so I’d imagine that OCD speaks to us through our strongest “language”, if that makes sense?

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