intrusive thoughts
Unwelcome mental visitors
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted mental images, urges, or ideas that enter consciousness unbidden and often feel disturbing or out of character.
They may involve violence, harm, or taboo subjects: I had an intrusive thought about swerving into traffic.
Everyone experiences them occasionally; their presence doesn't indicate intent or desire.
In psychology, persistent intrusive thoughts that cause distress are associated with anxiety disorders and OCD.
Persistent dominating thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- fixationsPersistent mental attachments
- unwantedNot wished for
involuntary · persistent · disturbing · unwelcome · uncontrollable · intrusions · taboo thoughts · repugnant
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
hypervigilance · catastrophizing · anticipatory · spiraling · racing thoughts · worst-case · alarm · fight-or-flight
Uncontrollable urges to act
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- checkingAct of verification
- washingCleaning with liquid
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
ordering · symmetry · perfectionism · repetition · neutralizing · avoidance · suppression · scrupulosity
Psychological treatment abbreviation
- ERPIntegrated business management software
- exposure therapyAnxiety treatment through confrontation
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- defusionNeutralizing an explosive device
acceptance · medication · SSRI · therapy · mental health · coping strategies · habituation · psychoeducation
Defeat by excess
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
disconcerting · torment · anguish · suffering · preoccupation · consuming · relentless · exhausting
obsessions
Persistent dominating thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- fixationsPersistent mental attachments
unwanted · involuntary · persistent · disturbing · unwelcome · uncontrollable · intrusions · taboo thoughts · repugnant · recurring
worry
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
panic · hypervigilance · catastrophizing · anticipatory · spiraling · racing thoughts · worst-case · alarm · fight-or-flight · amygdala
compulsions
Uncontrollable urges to act
counting · ordering · symmetry · perfectionism · repetition · neutralizing · avoidance · suppression · scrupulosity · doubt
CBT
Psychological treatment abbreviation
- ERPIntegrated business management software
- exposure therapyAnxiety treatment through confrontation
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
defusion · acceptance · medication · SSRI · therapy · mental health · coping strategies · habituation · psychoeducation · normalization
overwhelm
Defeat by excess
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- disturbanceDisruption of order
unsettling · disconcerting · torment · anguish · suffering · preoccupation · consuming · relentless · exhausting · debilitating
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- mental healthpsychiatry, psychotherapy, mental illness, psychiatrist, therapist
- meditation obstaclesrestlessness, anxiety, racing thoughts, drowsiness, sleepiness
- anxiety signspanic, nervousness, worry, worrying, trembling
- child distressanxiety, fear of dark, fearfulness, nervousness, nightmares
- compulsionsOCD, compulsion, obsession, handwashing, hand washing
intrusive thoughtspeace of mind
State without anxiety
mental tranquility · calm mind · happy thoughts · positive self-talk · mental stillness
intrusive thoughtsmental discipline
Trained control of thought
thought control · clear-headedness · mental clarity · mindfulness · executive function
intrusive thoughtsmental clarity
Sharpness of thought
clear mind · mental stillness · inner peace · quiet mind · mental calm
thought, thinking, intruder, intrude, intrusive, intrusion, intruding, intruders, intruded