Can normal people have intrusive thoughts?

Anyone can experience intrusive thoughts. More than 6 million people in the United States may experience them. Many more people may not report them to their doctors or therapists. Intrusive thoughts aren’t always the result of an underlying condition.

Are intrusive thoughts always true?

Intrusive thoughts aren’t always the result of an underlying condition. They’re also not likely to indicate you have a problem that requires medical attention. However, for some people, intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of a mental health condition.

Do intrusive thoughts change over time?

Fact: The themes of OCD symptoms can change over time. In most cases, a person with OCD continues to experience fears across a common theme. Age, culture, and life experiences can affect these themes. For example, a 12-year-old with OCD may be plagued by thoughts of their parents dying.

Are you a bad person if you have intrusive thoughts?

Having unwanted thoughts does not make you a bad person. Intrusive thoughts are so-called for a reason: they stick with a person, and the harder a person fights them, the stronger they get. Their intrusive nature makes them harder to dismiss, which leads the person to believe they must mean something.

Should I worry about intrusive thoughts?

They’re usually harmless. But if you obsess about them so much that it interrupts your day-to-day life, this can be a sign of an underlying mental health problem. Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

What is the cure for intrusive thoughts?

Intrusive thoughts and all other mental-related problems are treated using two therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERPT).

Do intrusive thoughts get worse with age?

Symptoms fluctuate in severity from time to time, and this fluctuation may be related to the occurrence of stressful events. Because symptoms usually worsen with age, people may have difficulty remembering when OCD began, but can sometimes recall when they first noticed that the symptoms were disrupting their lives.