INTRUSIVENESS

 

Anyone can experience intrusive thoughts. Many people may not report them to their doctors or therapists.

Intrusive thoughts are not always the result of an underlying condition. They are also not likely to indicate you have a problem that requires medical attention.

However, for some people, intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of a mental health condition.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs when intrusive thoughts become uncontrollable. These intrusive thoughts (obsessions) may cause you to repeat behaviours (compulsions) in the hope that you can end the thoughts and prevent them from occurring in the future.

Examples of this type of intrusive thought include worrying about locking doors and turning off ovens or fearing bacteria on surfaces.

A person with OCD may develop a routine of checking and rechecking locks several times or washing their hands multiple times a day. In both cases, this is an unhealthy result that interferes with their quality of life.

Post-traumatic stress disorder.

People living with post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) often experience intrusive thoughts that may be connected to a traumatic event. These thoughts may trigger some of the physical symptoms of PTSD, such as increased heart rate and sweating.

In some cases, these thoughts can be so severe they lead to flashbacks and intense psychological distress.

Eating disorders.

People who have developed an eating disorder may experience intrusive thoughts that are harmful to their mental health. The thoughts can eventually damage their physical health.

People with an eating disorder frequently worry about the physical impact food will have on their bodies. That, in turn, leads to great distress about eating. It may also cause additional behaviours, such as purging, in an effort to stop the thoughts.

What causes them?

Intrusive thoughts can just happen randomly. Some thoughts wander into your brain. Then, just as quickly, they exit. They create no lasting impression.

Mundane thoughts leave, but intrusive thoughts last longer and often return.

In some cases, intrusive thoughts are the result of an underlying mental health condition, like OCD or PTSD. These thoughts could also be a symptom of another health issue, such as:

• a brain injury,
• dementia, 
• Parkinson's disease.

Changes to mental health are nothing to take lightly. Early symptoms of some conditions may include:

• changes in thought patterns,
• obsessive thoughts,
• thoughts of disturbing imagery.

These thoughts are nothing to be ashamed of, but they are a reason to seek a diagnosis and treatment.

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