The Mental Health Impact of Intrusive Thinking
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Most people have a significant amount of control over the things they think about from day to day. This control is important. It supports your ability to maintain mental stability. It also helps you maintain perspective on the wider world around you. Unfortunately, some people do not have reliable control over their thought processes. Instead, they suffer from something called intrusive thoughts.
Left untreated, intrusive thoughts can seriously disrupt your mental health. In fact, two of the most well-known mental illnesses – PTSD and obsessive-compulsive disorder – feature intrusive thinking. Treatment for these conditions will help you overcome unwanted mental intrusions. It will also help you overcome other symptoms you may be experiencing.
What Are Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts get their name because they intrude on your normal way of thinking. Out of the blue, you find yourself thinking about something completely different. These thoughts seem to come from somewhere else and are frequently distressing or disturbing.
In the U.S., roughly six million people experience intrusive thoughts. Many of these people have diagnosable symptoms of mental illness. However, many do not. Instead, they experience occasional or temporary problems with this kind of thinking.
But, exactly what are intrusive thoughts? In other words, how do you know if a thought is intrusive? Experts look for a few telltale signs. First, these thoughts are not typical for you. Instead, they represent a clear change from the norm.
Second, intrusive thoughts bother you and upset your sense of mental balance. As a result, you may find yourself trying to push them away. Finally, intrusive thoughts seem difficult or impossible to control. They recur again and again, whether or not you want them to. When you try to push them away, they simply return once more.