Once in a while, you will find yourself entangled in a series of thoughts. Most of these thoughts just happen without your consciousness, which is why they are referred to as intrusive. Such thoughts will simply come and go, and you don’t have to pay much attention to them since they do not affect your conscience. It is like a form of meditation where you sit back and let the mind wander without your engagement. However, intrusive thoughts are different because they compel you to obsess over them, and they become the center of your attention.
Examples of Intrusive Thoughts
Unfortunately, intrusive thoughts will have you viewing things from a pessimistic angle even when they could be positive. For example, casino bonuses such as welcome bonuses and free spins are always a reason to be optimistic, they can help boost your bankroll when playing your favorite games. Moreover, when playing, there are varied payment methods such as Skrill or Bitcoin and the payouts are fast. This makes your online gambling worthwhile and you don’t have to overthink about all the negative things that could happen.
Other examples of intrusive thoughts could include:
Sexual– this involves weird thoughts that trigger you to question your sexuality. You might find yourself imagining having sex with inappropriate parties such as colleagues at work, family members, or your brother’s spouse.
Relationships-intrusive relationship thoughts include doubts about whether your partner will stay or whether your love for them is genuine. You can also hold a strong judgment that your partner could be cheating on you without any substantial proof.
Violent– such thoughts involve committing violence against a stranger or killing a family member or even a partner. You could also find yourself thinking about sharp objects like kitchen knives and how to use them to cause harm.
Health-related– this comprises thoughts about your wellbeing. If you notice a bump on your body, you will be quick to judge that it is a cancer symptom. You may also doubt a doctor’s diagnosis and think that you have a terminal disease.
How to Stop Intrusive Thoughts
Train yourself to recognize moments when you experience an intrusive thought
Managing intrusive thoughts requires that you be mindful and recognize when they occur. It is an effective way to stop them. Among the few ways to train your mind is through meditation. When you are mindful, you get the mental clarity that will guide your actions. Every individual can control such thoughts. With a clear mind, you will be able to dismiss negative thoughts.
Learn to accept the thoughts
After you have learned to recognize intrusive thoughts, be open to accepting them. Do not attempt to suppress or ignore such thoughts, as it will just worsen the condition. Since you cannot wish them away, acceptance is the best option. But take it lightly, and with time, you will gain more power over what your mind focuses on.
Use the pop-up blocker technique
This is the most critical step. When you encounter an intrusive thought, it is common to obsess over it. A specific example is when you are on a date with your girlfriend and her phone rings; she picks it up and makes a quick reply while smiling. You immediately think that she could be speaking to her other lover. It therefore, fades your happiness as you embark on deep and dark thoughts. In this case, you need to save your otherwise healthy relationship by employing the pop-up blocker technique. This method requires you to treat such ideas just like pop–up ads by blocking them. You can achieve this by being your own anti-virus where you first acknowledge the thought then distance yourself from it since it does not represent reality.
Live normally
Having intrusive thoughts is not a unique condition that should worry you. Therefore, never allow them to influence your behavior. Remember that intrusive thoughts do not reflect who you really are, so there is nothing more important than living your life normally. While you work your way to overcoming these feelings, always focus on remaining positive.