Have you ever had unwanted thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere, appear extreme, and make no sense? Well, you are not alone. This puzzling, and what can be, distressing phenomenon happens to everyone and can rest assured, you are normal. Intrusive thoughts with anxiety can feel closely connected with fear, guilt, and stress.
Sometimes we use our imagination to continue creating a story from just one intrusive thought. I am not going to give specific examples, because you probably have experienced them and you know what they are for you. They can, however, include thoughts dealing with harm, perversion, something we perceive as extreme, or can be what we consider for ourselves, just simply an unwanted random thought. They could be about our past, the future, almost anything really.
One might have a thought about harming something innocent and think, why did I think this, would I actually ever do this, what would happen to me if I did, what would others think of me if they knew I was thinking this? When we get caught up in why they occur, what they say about us, the intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and worry seem to take over.
We may know or learn that intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and the other emotions that can be felt alongside are normal for everyone. However, it does not seem to make it any easier when they occur. We can still have guilt and shame over an intrusive thought.
Where do Intrusive Thoughts Come from?
I do not mean to make light of what appears to be stress or anxiety from intrusive thoughts, but what if the random thought that came out of nowhere is like the random thought that you want pizza for dinner? The only difference is the meaning we apply to it and when we do that, the thought gets labeled as intrusive. I believe many can relate to the following example. Have you ever been driving or been a passenger in a vehicle and stopped on a bridge when you have the thought, what if this bridge collapses (or something similar such as the thought to just drive off the road)? Some people might dismiss it and others might run with it and create an elaborate story and begin to feel anxious. The thinking and feeling and then labeling of it makes it an intrusive thought.
We think intrusive thoughts mean something different than other thoughts. When we continue the story and imagine the thought becoming reality we are creating more thought and can start to feel physical sensations in our body. We are simply feeling our thinking. We start to feel worry or fear and anxiety. So we think the anxiety is from the intrusive thoughts, but actually it is from the story and questions we create after the thought popped into our head. All thought is neutral until we make it mean something else. There is no need to ignore or control it because it is not threatening.
How to Stop Intrusive Thoughts with Anxiety
I am sure you are reading this not just to know how they come about, but how to stop the intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and fear. Well, what if it is not possible to stop the intrusive thought itself from coming into our head? Just like it is not possible for the random thought of having pizza for dinner, from coming up. And what if an intrusive thought does not cause anxiety? The story we think up and the meaning we apply about the intrusive thoughts causes anxiety. The intrusive thought seems to be the problem based on the meaning and attention we give it. The anxiety comes when we get caught up in that meaning and we are simply feeling our thinking.
Myths About Intrusive Thoughts
- They imply you’re a bad person.
- You would act on them.
- They only happen to you.
- Intrusive thoughts create anxiety and shame.
Thoughts come and go all day long. Some float in and quickly float out and others continually circle back around. It just seems intrusive thoughts with anxiety are more intense and stay longer because we start dissecting them and apply meaning to them. That thought will eventually leave, just like all others do, when another comes in or we become distracted.
Beliefs about an intrusive thought are what causes anxiety, shame, and guilt. What if it is about seeing something different regarding the nature of intrusive thoughts rather than doing something different with them? Thoughts will always come and go. It seems to be their nature. We don’t have to do anything to control the intrusive thought from coming in. Nor do we have to control it after it comes up. We are safe and well and it is the resistance to them that allows it to be a problem. When in fact, there is no problem.
Freedom from Intrusive Thoughts with Dr. Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson is a psychologist and Change Coach who helps people find freedom from anxiety, habits, insecurity and low self-esteem. She has written several books and leads live courses and group coaching.
Amy Johnson helps find freedom from anxiety and intrusive thoughts through insight and wisdom, not willpower.
One of Amy Johnson’s most popular books is The Little Book of Big Change, about the principles behind the human experience. The Little Book of Big Change shares a unique approach to healing anxiety, worry and insecurity. The Little Book of Big Change will help you understand what is at the root of your anxiety, low self-esteem, and self-destructive habits.
About the Author
Rebecca Furmanek is a certified Change Coach.
You can see more about Rebecca and her coaching services here.
