What are Intrusive thoughts?

Every day we have thousands of thoughts that come and leave our minds. For the most part, these thoughts leave you with no uncomfortable feelings.

However, sometimes people experience thoughts that last longer and leave them feeling disturbed. These thoughts might include behaviours that the person finds horrifying or unacceptable, and yet you are still thinking about them.

These are called intrusive thoughts.

What you need to know is that these thoughts are just thoughts, they are not fact. While you may feel anxiety when experiencing them, they are simply thoughts. It is important to recognize that you have no desire to act on them. Intrusive thoughts are not harmful when you look at them in this way.

If you are experiencing intrusive thoughts and your daily life is challenging because of them, reach out to a therapist or other health care provider.  You don’t have to stay stuck in the discomfort of these thoughts.