i hated my mother, i was going to kill her. That's an intrusive thought, to give an example. These thoughts may focus on the fear of committing an act a person considers harmful, violent, immoral, sexually inappropriate, or sacrilegious. They spend years and countless hours learning methods for shaping thoughts and taking control of such thoughts. couldn't breathe, couldn't sit still. but the thoughts were very overwhelming. Send me an email after you’ve downloaded the prompts, and I would love to schedule a Zoom call with you for FREE just to chat about life, vent about your thoughts, or to hear how the journal worked for you. Fortunately, by identifying the anxiety that's causing your intrusive thoughts, you … Intrusive thoughts have themes that are quite far fetched, irrational, or with a magical thinking quality (“My bank account balance has to end in even numbers or a loved one may have a serious fall”). First recognizing, and then acknowledging, what triggers your intrusive thoughts is vital to stopping them. However, I’ll give a few examples of teachings you might wrestle with, and hopefully you’ll get a sense of what this stage of practicing with intrusive thoughts and emotions can look like. share. This article was initially published in the Summer 2004 edition of the OCD Newsletter.. Discussing these thoughts, or at least mentioning them, out loud takes away a bit of their power. In regards to postpartum, scary thoughts can be a symptom of postpartum OCD, postpartum anxiety, or postpartum depression. 2. )...I was holding a stapler in a meeting once and just couldn't get the idea of smashing it off the person opposite me's face until they passed out out of my head. Download this FREE one page printable with 7 journal prompts to tackle intrusive thoughts. After I recognized that, I left the group. I’m so glad others face this issue as well. I came across the term "intrusive thoughts" today in terms of BPD. But I don’t! This thread is archived. Here are a few examples of intrusive thoughts: Fear-based thought that you might do something inappropriate or embarrassing. When they were dying, the thought that I was glad they were dying and it was exciting and interesting was constantly in my head. There are lots of different examples and it could be something as whether you have had an argument with someone and are thinking they are an idiot, you hate them, you will never be their friend again to having thoughts about hurting people, or suicidal thoughts. For decades, we’ve known that thought suppression – deliberately trying to get rid of or avoid a thought – actually makes it more likely for that thought to show up in our consciousness. Examples of intrusive thoughts. However, intrusive thoughts are almost always unwanted. If you struggle with scary thoughts, whether due to your general anxiety or the specifics of postpartum, I want to add a disclaimer before this section. i also thought about hurting my pet turtle, who i love dearly. Press J to jump to the feed. Pingback: Should I Have Another Baby With Birth Trauma PTSD? i did, of course. "I wish I could set my sister on fire" "I wonder what would happen if I pushed him into traffic" "I wonder what would happen if I stabbed myself in the stomach" "They all wish you'd just kill yourself already" "I wish I could peel her skin off and drape it on that horse" etc etc. If you struggle with scary thoughts, whether due to your general anxiety or the specifics of postpartum, I want to add a disclaimer before this section. 4. Intrusive thoughts from OCD examples include fear of loss in the family, fear of being killed or killing someone else, and other intense end results. These thoughts don’t define you, no matter how disturbing or violent they might be. If you really feel like you need to keep up with the news, have a friend or family member update you on ONLY the news relevant to you and your area. apparently it has something to do with ocd. It’s important to research intrusive thoughts, so that you know exactly what you are dealing with. I get terrified that somehow my son will be in our arms and lean over the edge of the bridge, falling into the wolf pen. Intrusive thoughts are something all humans have. You're holding a baby, oogling back and forth with the new born. 5. Although they recently redid and repainted the wood planks, they still have cracks and a few protruding nails. You’re not alone, Saima! Journal writing seems like the go-to for anything mental health related. 'What if I crashed into that tree? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Intrusive thoughts can be defined as any unwanted thoughts. Thank you for being a safe place for so many especially in the church where mental health can be so covered in unhealthy and inappropriate shame. Intrusive thoughts rush to the center of your attention…and then stay there. All of these thoughts are intrusive, they appear unexpectedly and are unwanted. In the back of your mind you visualize smashing the baby like a melon. I just feel the need to check on him all the time. - Motherhood Is A Ministry, Your email address will not be published. The murderous/suicidal ones, I often just tell myself "Thoughts are not sins" - and it helps me feel better and less strange/monstrous. Flashback to unpleasant things from your past. watching a tablesaw run while in almost a trance-like state wondering what really will happen if i put my hand down on the spinning blade? They can grant you the tools and the discernment to be able to tackle these thoughts on your own eventually. Plus, there’s the bonus of chatting with me! report. This method could range from leaving certain Facebook groups to avoiding social media apps altogether. I get it — it’s frightening and vulnerable. *Edit: It is a daily grind that I deal with - it sometimes feels like most my thoughts are intrusive or wicked - and I'm always having to work through them, to not let myself get bothered, or guilty by them. These action prompts are something you can DO during that time to cope with those scary thoughts. The column on the left shows the type of intrusive thought and the 2 columns on the left show the percentage of men or women who said they had experienced that particular thought. When we learn to face or avoid our triggers, it decreases the amount of scary thoughts we need to defeat. For example, you might identify as lesbian, but have intrusive thoughts about sex with a man. Sexual obsessions are also a common symptom of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Pingback: 5 Ways Your Finance Habits Can Cause Postpartum Depression - Motherhood Is A Ministry, This is an incredible post because your transparency allows other women the safety they need to be open about their struggles with various thoughts and mental health issues that we all experience at some point in life. i first found intrusive thoughts to be horrifying, like an immense evil whispering in my ear to do terrible things, but they aren't bad, like dreams, intrusive thoughts are part of your mind's way of working through things, they are normal, very normal, everyone gets them from time to time, and yes, everyone gets the homicidal/suicidal ones too. 81% Upvoted. save. I want to be in control of my mind, and speaking these thoughts out loud (or posting them to live forever on the Internet) is the first step in doing so. Once you turn on the TV channel or open the website, it becomes a rabbit hole. Some ruminating thoughts are born from making assumptions about things that could be going on. i do/did. “I get thoughts/impulses like ‘ pour the hot water on yourself’ when pouring the water from the kettle to make tea, or ‘ put your hand in the flame. When you give examples, you open your brain up to the world with specificity. I usually just try to focus on something specific, like what I'd like for dinner, and force myself to think about that instead. Examples of intrusive thoughts. – Fear of not acting properly or correctly, according to what religious doctrines say. Healthline has a great post outlining 30 various grounding techniques to help you get started. It didn’t feel like me. While it was nice to connect with moms and be able to ask for reviews on local companies, they would also comment on the local news, which ranged from petty vandalism to homicides downtown. The conversation is comfortable, effortless and smooth. Maybe your trigger is the media. Cognitive-behavioral techniques for intrusive thoughts. Samia, thank you for sharing! This may include uncomfortable and disturbing thoughts about losing control, committing violent or perverted acts, fearing pain, fearing death or hurting other people. just remember, you aren't a serial killer, intrusive thoughts are normal, just don't act on them. By learning mindfulness, I am learning to control said thoughts. These thoughts may be a side effect of another mental health issue. Repetitive blasphemous thoughts. If you would like my help with Intrusive Thoughts, you are welcome to view my online course. Ruminating thoughts are excessive and intrusive thoughts about negative experiences and feelings. Having obsessive, negative ideas is a huge source of suffering. What are examples of intrusive thoughts? in the midst of a panic attack. For someone who is nonclinical OCD, intrusive thoughts affect them much less. For example, if religion is important to someone, OCD fixates on unwanted intrusive thoughts around religion, perhaps making the sufferer believe their actions/thoughts will offend their god. The content of intrusive obsessive thoughts almost always focus on sexual or violent images. Start a journal. They worry their baby will get taken away from them if they speak these thoughts out loud. Intrusive Thoughts in PTSD In addition to thoughts, images, sounds, smells, and feelings of a particular traumatic incident can also intrude severely upon … We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. hitting a pedestrian while driving) Constant worry about catching a deadly disease and/or contaminating others with your germs. that was an intrusive thought. Anyone who’s ever experienced repeated intrusive thoughts may feel as though their life has been taken over. How I Treat OCD Killer Thoughts: Treating Violent Obsessions. Examples of common compulsions in which a person may engage due to intrusive thoughts or images include: Compulsively repeating a ritual to reduce their anxiety Checking oneself or others in order to ensure no harm has been done The intrusive thoughts keep the anxiety going and maintain the fear-producing spiral. I'm twenty four and still have intrusive thoughts. For instance, I was in a Facebook group for moms in my area. I’ve outlined some intrusive thoughts examples that I’ve had and that members of the MIAM community have shared with me. These obsessive, intrusive thoughts, a key characteristic of the OCD diagnosis, could center on fear of making mistakes, contamination, illness, preoccupation with religion or sex, fear of unwanted urges and desires, or just about anything that you perceive as dangerous, unclean, or disgusting. Some scary thoughts can blossom from hearing about a crime or an unexpected catastrophe. These thoughts keep intruding upon your mind… The level of emotional distress resulting from thoughts … Some common examples: fear … By using our site, we will assume you are happy with it and agree to our privacy policy. By learning mindfulness, I am learning to control said thoughts. how i never loved them. report. Instead, your mindset involves the acceptance that these thoughts are happening and that they will happen again. They don’t have to hold power over you. I’ve always had a hard time with intrusive thoughts & being a mom has not made it any easier. Thank you, Tara! In the back of your mind you visualize smashing the baby like a melon. Certain … Start a journal. Your email address will not be published. These can include thoughts or mental images of violent sexual acts, sex with inappropriate people or things, questioning your own sexual identity or any idea of a sexual nature that cause you distress. Thank you for sharing your experience with it Jess . it started in the middle of the night, and me thinking about my dead grandparents. Mine range from standing at a traffic light thinking "what would happen if I just stepped out now" (I know what would happen) to being around someone and wanting to hurt them. Intrusive thoughts can become a serious issue, and are not limited to the examples above. There is SO much negativity and violence in the news. but i started thinking about how i really never loved them. Intrusive thoughts range in … of course, these are just thoughts, but i literally convinced myself that this was going to happen. Don’t fear medication! Examples of Disturbing Thoughts From Anxiety. When i am in the shower .. what if he fell out of the balcony. They can also make it hard to carry out everyday responsibilities at work, at school, or in the home. It’s okay to need more help, Mama. 3. how i don't love her, and when i do, i am lying. Pure Obsessional OCD is a type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in which an individual reports experiencing obsessions without outwardly observable compulsions.Pure-O obsessions often manifest as intrusive, unwanted, inappropriate thoughts, impulses or “mental images.” The compulsions for Pure-O mainly exist in the form of mental rumination and reassurance seeking. The biggest part of intrusive thoughts? Learn how your comment data is processed. I couldn’t find a single blog post or YouTube video where a mama ADMITTED what intrusive thoughts she was having. Therefore, the thought has entered your mind in an indirect way. If I can support you in any way with postpartum thoughts, don’t hesitate to email me or reach out via social media. 6. The thoughts are not characteristics of you but rather melting pots of every piece of information your brain has absorbed. In some cases, individuals with religious scrupulosity experience intrusive, blasphemous thoughts: Repeated sacrilegious thoughts or thoughts/fears of making blasphemous comments during religious services; Intrusive thoughts (including sexual thoughts) about religious figures or God; Fears of being or becoming possessed by evil spirits or the devil I was that mom, and now I want to be the first to hug you. There are dozens of categories of different obsessions and compulsions that make up the disorder known as OCD, and while these cover a wide range of differing themes, they all share many characteristics in common. the intrusive thoughts were that when he got back from work i was going to stab him and that i was going to jail. The biggest question you need to ask yourself is whether or not these thoughts happen significantly enough and cause enough distress to be considered a problem. 278 comments. But I say, to hell with that! What Are Intrusive Thoughts Imagine just sitting in a fancy coffee shop spending a nice and chilled out afternoon with your friends. That's an intrusive thought, to give an example. You can rid your mind of these thoughts, Mama, but it’s going to take work. Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome ideas, memories or traumatic flashbacks that repeatedly find their way into a person’s thinking. You're holding a baby, oogling back and forth with the new born. These cookies do not store any personal information. Scary thoughts hold sooo much power. . Fortunately, by identifying the anxiety that's causing your intrusive thoughts, you … standing next to a cliff or balcony with someone and wanting to push them off for no reason other than you want to. Negative thoughts about yourself are a common symptom of depression. There's a type of OCD where the main symptom is intrusive thoughts - Pure Obsessional. It doesn’t make you weak or less of a mom. Intrusive sexual thoughts. People with OCD have obsessive thoughts or images that bother them. Intrusive thoughts can become a serious issue, and are not limited to the examples above. That being said, please skip ahead to intrusive thoughts causes if you believe you will be triggered by specific examples of these scary thoughts. You're holding a baby, oogling back and forth with the new born. When unwanted intrusive thoughts become frequent and distressing, as in Jasmine’s case, the reason has to do with how a person views and responds to these thoughts, not the thoughts themselves. i really am going to kill her. You’re doing great work, Friend! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. - Motherhood Is A Ministry. What if one of these wooden planks breaks and we both fall? You can always find a professional AND a method that works best for YOU! Mundane thoughts leave, but intrusive thoughts last longer and often return. A place for those who have BPD (also known as EUPD), their family members and friends, and anyone else who is interested in learning more about the mental illness.