6 intrusive thoughts that aren't talked about enough

Intrusive thoughts can be incredibly hard to deal with, especially when they’re scary, disturbing, or taboo. Here are six common intrusive thoughts that many people experience but often believe they’re completely alone in having. OCD has a way of targeting the things you care about most, twisting your values, and making you question what these thoughts “mean” about you. The truth is, intrusive thoughts are not your intentions, desires, or who you are. If you see yourself in these slides, you’re not alone. If you think you might be dealing with OCD or overwhelming intrusive thoughts, know that it can get better. OCD is highly treatable with specialized, evidence-based treatment. Book a free call with our team using the link in our bio to learn more and get started today. These thoughts can make you feel like you’re one bad moment away from hurting someone, even when that’s the last thing you’d ever want to do. Intrusive thoughts about loved ones, children, or pets can make you question everything about yourself, even though the thoughts go directly against your values. Real event OCD can keep you stuck replaying old memories, searching for certainty about what happened and what it says about you. Sometimes intrusive thoughts can feel like commands instead of “what ifs,” making people worry they’re losing touch with reality when they’re not. OCD can convince you that wearing a certain color, using a specific number, or doing something in the “wrong” order could cause something bad to happen. OCD can make you doubt your own memories, convincing you that you did something terrible, forgot about it, and now need certainty that it never happened. Scary intrusive thoughts aren’t wishes, intentions, or hidden desires. They’re one of the most misunderstood symptoms of OCD. If overwhelming intrusive thoughts are taking over your life, know that OCD is highly treatable with specialized, evidence-based treatment. Book a free call with our team here: https://learn.nocd.com/app-book-a-call to learn more and/or get started today.

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Justmesadly

Date posted: 3d

I was very confused for a long time because most of my intrusive thoughts aren’t what ifs , they are commands or definitive statements. I wish I had known that earlier

Dianne Mae

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@Justmesadly Same!

Mercury75

Date posted: 11h

@Justmesadly Me too, I appreciate NOCD spreading awareness about this. When my OCD was really bad I would get thoughts like "you want to do this," or even worse "you will do this." It was extremely frightening! It's a lot easier to recover when you understand what you're dealing with. I also relate to wanting to do something (like not wear red) "just in case." But that feeds the OCD too, and before you know it you're not avoiding red "just in case" you're avoiding it because you feel like you have to! I often have to check myself so I don't create new compulsions.

Euplectella

Date posted: 14h

In which way do you mean that they were definitive statements?

anglucier

Date posted: 12h

Not seeing the list of 6 things. I just see the two squares with the title and then the first one what if I snap. Are the other five somewhere else? Is there a slideshow? Thank you I too, fund this information very comforting.

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