What Are Intrusive Thoughts?

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and distressing obsessive thoughts that feel contrary to a person’s nature. 

At one point or another, everyone experiences an intrusive thought. Most people can dismiss the thoughts and write them off as just weird or no big deal. Some people — people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — can’t shake the thoughts and assume they mean something more. For example, thinking “What if that bump I drove over was actually a person?” probably won’t have a lasting effect on a person who doesn’t have OCD, but someone with OCD might panic and drive around the block several times to check.

Some intrusive thoughts fall under the category of “taboo” because they include upsetting sexual, violent, and blasphemous thoughts. (This doesn’t mean the thoughts actually are taboo, but it can be a helpful descriptor when a person is trying to explain the nature of their thoughts.) People suffering from these intrusive thoughts often say they focus on what they cherish the most in life: children, pets, family, religious faith, and so on. So if a person wants nothing more than to be a parent someday, their intrusive thoughts may center around child molestation or other child abuse, or if a person is a devout Christian, they may struggle with the doubt that Jesus is really God. 

All intrusive thoughts are normal, and no matter their theme, they can be treated with different forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is the most highly recommended option for people with OCD. 

It’s normal to hope treatment means intrusive thoughts will disappear, but treatment should equip OCD sufferers with techniques to address any intrusive thought that may arise. Your anxiety won't fully go away, but you'll be better prepared to cope with it and live a happy, healthy life.