20 Things That Make Intrusive Thoughts Worse
20 Things That Make Intrusive Thoughts Worse
We’ve spent a look of time recently writing about treatments to make Intrusive Thoughts and Pure O better however there are lots of things which you can avoid which make intrusive thoughts worse.
The top ten worst external behaviours you can do to combat Intrusive thoughts or Pure O:
- Substances/ Illegal Drugs
- Alcohol
- Gambling
- Self Harm /
- Porn
- Excessive Eating
- Avoiding things that trigger the intrusive thoughts
- Excessive Gaming
- Excessive TV/ Screen Time
- Excessive Exercise
The top ten worst mental behaviours you can do to combat Intrusive thoughts or Pure O:
- Fight and struggle with the thoughts
- Try to push them away or out of your mind
- Try to change/ alter them.
- Repeat religious prayers
- Pray to God or a higher power to take them away
- Reassure yourself
- Count backwards from 100
- Positive thinking
- Affirmations
- Talk to or reason with the thoughts/ that part of your mind
CBT Therapy London
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy), Mindfulness Meditation and Medication can all be used to treat intrusive thoughts and Pure O. We’ll tailor a plan to your circumstances, medical history, and underlying conditions to help you live a balanced life..
The CBT Clinic London understands and can help. After assessing your symptoms, medical history, and severity of your condition, we can devise a treatment plan and help you live your life to the full again.
Getting help is easy. Simply complete our new patient registration form or if you have questions, contact our friendly team who will assist you. You can call us on 0207 157 9924 or Book Online. Consultations are free and will reveal your diagnosis and enable us to create a customised treatment plan.
Learn More
Does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy) and Mindfulness Help Pure O or Intrusive Thoughts?
Does CBT Therapy Cure Pure O or Intrusive Thoughts?
Does CBT Therapy Cure Pure O? In short yes, it can help a range of problems including Pure O, OCD and Intrusive thoughts. Let’s look first at what intrusive thoughts actually are.
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and can be distressing. They might pop up at any time in your head. Even though you might be lying down in bed, cleaning the dishes, driving to work, or sitting on your sofa, these disturbing thoughts or images frequently occur in your head in an upsetting way. There is always a disturbing concern and worry about the future, regardless of whether the ideas are violent or sexual.
Even while intrusive thoughts are a well-known sign of many mental health problems, including depression, PTSD, and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), many people do experience them. 94% of people, according to research, have experienced intrusive thoughts at some point, but this does not necessarily indicate that a person has a mental problem.
A person with OCD will have more troubling intrusive thoughts than someone without OCD, which is what sets them apart from someone who just experiences intrusive thoughts. For instance, if a person with intrusive thoughts is alone and has the bizarre thought of punching a random person they see close by, they will likely just go about their day believing it to be an odd thought. The same intrusive idea would cause anxiety in an OCD sufferer, who would question why they were thinking about it. They are very concerned about the motivation behind their actions.
There are a few things that cause these ideas, like stress and worry. If you want to know if you have intrusive thoughts, here are some symptoms to look out for:
- There are a few things that cause these ideas, like stress and worry. If you want to know if you have intrusive thoughts, here are some symptoms to look out for:
- Your thoughts are odd and very dissimilar from what you often think.
- You are working extremely hard to get rid of your troublesome thoughts from your mind.
- You struggle to regulate your thoughts, and the more you try, the worse it becomes.
It is crucial that you see a mental health expert if you believe you are exhibiting these symptoms. Medication and talking therapy particularly Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy), are available as effective treatments.
How to Help Pure O and Intrusive Thoughts
When you are having intrusive thoughts or Pure O, there are a few things you can do for yourself:
- Recognize that your thinking is just intrusive in nature and that it differs from how you typically think or believe.
- Don’t attempt to manage the thought. Accept things as they are rather than trying to change them, and it is likely they will go away.
- Try not to criticise yourself. You may feel that you have a problem or that you are a bad person as a result of these ideas but understand that these thoughts can be normal and don’t mean that something is wrong with you.
On the other hand, there are a few things you can practice as well:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Exercise or physical activity
- Deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
- Reframing negative thoughts
- Writing or talking about thoughts with a trusted friend
- Engaging in hobbies or activities that bring joy
- Challenge the thought’s validity by seeking evidence
- Practice self-compassion
- Distract yourself with a new task or activity
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy)
CBT Therapist London
This article was curated by Alistair Bond – Senior CBT Therapist in London. He is the Clinical Director of the CBT Clinic London and he specialises in treating “Pure O” and OCD.
If you or a loved one are struggling with intrusive thoughts, please get in touch with us. You call our friendly reception on 0207 157 9924, email info@cbtcliniclondon.com or simply fill out our new patient registration form and we’ll get back to you.
We offer CBT Therapy either Online or Face to Face in our London Clinic. We also offer the option to combine both to suit your lifestyle and preference.
*We thank Sue (name has been changed) for her kindness and generosity in sharing her success story to help and inspire others.
Learn More
Are you suffering with Intrusive Distressing Thoughts or Pure O? Here is a guide to help you?
What are Intrusive Thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing thoughts that occur in people’s minds and repeat or worsen over time. Intrusive thoughts can often be disturbing, causing anxiety and fear. It is very common to have them when around or about loved ones. People often have intrusive thoughts about violence or sexual acts, which can keep people stuck in a vicious cycle. Intrusive thoughts are sudden and stressful. They can “come out of nowhere”. Almost always the thoughts are in direct contrast to people’s value systems and what they really want to be thinking about.
Intrusive thoughts can be mistaken for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD can cause intrusive thoughts but following a Programme of OCD targeted CBT Therapy can really help.
Of course, people without OCD can suffer from intrusive thoughts that do not disappear quickly. These thoughts can have lasting detrimental psychological effects usually due to their upsetting and distressing nature.
Are Intrusive Thoughts Normal?
Invasive thoughts are normal. Everyone has random, intrusive thoughts that have no bearing on what they’re doing or thinking. However, persistent, anxiety-inducing negative intrusive thoughts can be distressing and may affect your health and happiness. Seeking professional help will help.
What are the Most Common Intrusive Thoughts?
Intrusions do vary. Some people have disturbing thoughts about hurting themselves, while others worry about hurting others. Intrusive thoughts can hinder happiness, health, and fulfilment. They can cause severe stress, anxiety, and create career disruption if left untreated.
Some of the most common intrusive thoughts:
- Thoughts about hurting yourself, others, or violent scenarios
- Sexual acts or distressing sexual situations (like being attracted to children, family members, or rape)
- Your relationship (overanalysing innocent behaviour, paranoia about infidelity, finding faults in your partner)
- Religion
- Poisoning
- Self-criticism
- Sexuality
Pure O Specialists at the CBT Clinic London
Our specialists have decades of experience diagnosing and treating intrusive thoughts in top UK and international institutions. We know that the right treatment combination can transform lives, so our experts stay up to date on the latest psychological developments to provide you with the best care.
These are some of the most common intrusive thoughts, but the brain is a complex think tank, so you may have intrusive thoughts about personal events and situations that are not listed here. If you want to discuss any aspect of your intrusions please contact us here.
How are Intrusive Thoughts Treated?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy), Mindfulness Meditation and Medication can all be used to treat intrusive thoughts. We’ll tailor a plan to your circumstances, medical history, and underlying conditions to help you live a balanced life free of intrusions.
The CBT Clinic London understands intrusive thoughts and can help. After assessing your symptoms, medical history, and frequency and duration, we can diagnose intrusive thoughts and help you live without them.
Schedule an appointment today to learn how you can master your intrusive thoughts. Your consultation will reveal your diagnosis and a customised treatment plan.
Book online with our intrusive thoughts treatment specialists. Register via our new patient form.
Online intrusive thoughts evaluation and diagnosis.
Prefer flexible payments? We offer payment plans.
How does The CBT Clinic London Treat Intrusive Thoughts?
The CBT Clinic London treats intrusive thoughts holistically. We’ll customise a treatment plan using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy), Mindfulness Meditation and Medication (when indicated).
We will first conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your invasive thoughts. After a professional diagnosis, we will create a customised treatment plan to ensure the best therapeutic results. Medication may be part of your treatment.
Intrusive thoughts can make you feel out of control, so a good treatment plan can change your life.
What is the process?
1 -We start with a professional intrusive thoughts diagnosis and a personalised assessment report, which you can share with your GP, to ensure a perfect treatment plan.
2. – Our specialists will tailor a treatment plan to your therapy and medication needs. We know the benefits of each treatment and medication and can explain them to you during your appointment.
3. – We recommend follow-up appointments to review progress, discuss concerns and adjust medication doses to help intrusive thought patients recover.
Intrusive Thought Treatment London
After our thorough assessment and intrusive thoughts diagnosis, you’ll receive a tailored, balanced treatment plan to manage your symptoms and reduce the condition’s impact on your life.
Learn More