OCD Intrusive Thoughts -How to Manage Them

OCD Intrusive Thoughts are where an individual suffers from obsessional thoughts that are repetitive and repulsive in nature.

For example, thoughts of causing harm to loved ones. Because of them being intrusive in nature they are not voluntarily produced and surfacing of such thoughts can cause the individual extreme distress.

The very significance of such ideas being formed in their head can be horrifying for them. But because of the extent to which they would go to avoid and prevent from these thoughts taking action can cause them to not act upon these thoughts.

These OCD intrusive thoughts cause immense distress and anguish in the individual’s life, like school, work, relationships, social interactions and activities. There are various subcategories of intrusive thoughts, they are as follows.

Understanding OCD Intrusive Thoughts:

• Intrusive Thoughts on RelationshipIndividual here obsessively doubts the sustainability and suitability of their relationship and their partners and their own sexuality tend to be the matter of their focus. Some of these obsessional ocd symptoms include:
  1. Incessantly scrutinizing their partner and the relationship to find fault.
  2. Incessantly seeking the need for approval and reassurance from their partner.
  3. Incessantly doubting their partner for being faithful or not.
  4. Questioning their own sexuality, for developing feelings and thoughts on being attracted to individuals of the same sex.

  This relentless analysing on one’s partner and relationship puts and causes enormous amounts of strain on their relationship, hence cause the relationship to dissolve.

• OCD Intrusive Thoughts that are Sexual in natureIndividual here obsessively has thoughts on causing unintentional sexual harm and unintentionally, or constantly questioning one’s sexuality tend to be the matter of their focus. Some of these obsessional thoughts include:
  1. Being afraid of being sexually attracted to children.
  2. Being afraid of being sexually attracted to their family members.
  3. Being afraid of being attracted to individuals of their same-sex
  4. For individuals who are gay, being afraid of being attracted to individuals of the opposite sex.
  5. Having intrusive sexual thoughts about religious figures, saints or God

  Individuals who suffer these intrusive sexual thoughts are extremely disturbed and are repugnant towards themselves. And due to the nature of their thoughts, they would show reluctance to seek professional help.

  They suffer great anguish and tend to avoid individuals or places associated with their nature of intrusive sexual thoughts.

• Intrusive Thoughts that are Magical in natureIndividual here believes and is fearful that if they think of something bad, something bad would happen. This known as ‘thought-action fusion’. Individuals would have intrusive bad thoughts and they would rid themselves of these thoughts by performing rituals. The natures of these rituals are often bizarre and time-consuming.  Some of these magical thoughts include:
  1. A particular number/s, colour/s or day/s have good or bad luck associated with it.
  2. Predicting a loved one’s death
  3. Thoughts can cause disasters.
  4. Things that come to mind can come true.
  5. Harm can be caused to others with thoughts or carelessness.

  Individuals who suffer from magical intrusive thoughts believe that a possibility of their thoughts causing something actually exists, immense anxiety and anguish.  And so they will indulge in compulsive behaviours to make sure their thoughts don’t occur in reality.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder thoughts that are Religious in natureIndividuals here often fixate on religion and religious matters. Some of these religious obsessional thoughts include:
  1. If we commit sins God will never forgive us and we will go to hell.
  2. Having bad thoughts in a religious building or shrine.
  3. Being fearful that they might scream blasphemous words in a religious place.
  4. Reciting prayers again or for a particular number of times if said incorrectly.
  5. Reciting prayers again or for a particular number of times as a ritual.
  6. Having intrusive sexual thoughts about religious figures, saints or God

  This relentless analysing and questioning of their religion put immense strain on their beliefs and not allowing them to derive peace from their religion.  Hence they would avoid going to religious places out of fear of their thoughts.

• Intrusive Thoughts that are Violent in natureHere the individual obsessive fears of acting upon violent acts against loved ones or other people. Some of these violent obsessional thoughts include:
  1. Harming or violently harming children or loved ones.
  2. Harming or violently harming innocent people.
  3. Thinking of using kitchen knives or other sharp objects.
  4. Thinking they would act upon their unwanted impulses.

  Individuals here would label and regard themselves as bad people just because they have these thoughts. And believe that they have the ability to cause harm to others.

  Due to the nature of their thoughts they would show reluctance to seek professional help. They suffer great anguish and tend to avoid individuals or places associated with their nature of intrusive violent thoughts.

  Because of the nature of these thoughts, they cause immense major distress and anguish in the individual’s life, like school, work, relationships, social interactions and activities. But the thing to remember here is they would most likely not act upon these impulses and hence support and help them to seek help.

OCD Intrusive Thoughts Treatment

Seeking a help for obsessive-compulsive disorder can be extremely difficult for numerous reasons. The ones suffering from this mental illness, speaking about their OCD intrusive thoughts is embarrassing and scary.

The path to OCD Treatment starts with you. A number of treatment options are available for OCD. Also, reaching to a professional or psychologists would be a vital step to help you know how to manage and treat it well.

If you or a loved one has OCD, then please reach out to Cadabam’s to know about the best OCD treatments. You can call us at +91 96111 94949.

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