Anyone on here who has dealt with/ or currently dealing with sexual intrusive thoughts about family members have any advice on reminding yourself that these thoughts aren’t real? They just seem really vivid to me and I’m worried that I’ll act on them somehow

Ive struggled with plenty of sexual intrusive thoughts my whole life. It got the severest now and im treating it. Id say the best thing that helps me is mindfulness. Tell the thoughts, that you notice them and see them. Dont judge them, and just simply let them float away. Its not easy at first but think of it as exposure. You expose yourself to the though without resistance, and then are mindful with your response to it.

As someone who is just starting to treat her OCD in an effectice way, i honestly have seen a complete difference by doing this. And trying my best to stay in the moment and not give into my thoughts. Because truthfully i can tell you, you dont need to understand the reasons behind them, you dont need to understand the thoughts either. Just know that theyre from some random file in your brain, and you dont need to change them or make them go away. Be open and keep on living inspite of it.

I get these intermittently and have dealt with them more seriously in the past, and although I know it’s easier said than done, I just don’t give in to that thinking anymore and shut ruminating down right away. To me, rationalizing really helps with this: I know that that does not align with who I am/my values, so I’m not going to think about it anymore. I hardly notice those thoughts when they come now.

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