3 types of intrusive thoughts and what to do about them

OCD and Anxiety
24 Jan 202208:02
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script delves into the perplexing world of intrusive thoughts, exploring their nature and impact on mental health. It clarifies that while everyone experiences these unwanted thoughts, obsessing over them can exacerbate issues, potentially indicating conditions like anxiety or OCD. The speaker categorizes intrusive thoughts into three types: sexual, violent, and 'junk' thoughts, emphasizing their harmlessness unless given undue importance. The key takeaway is adopting a 'nothing' approach—acknowledging thoughts without reacting or assigning them value, which can help in reducing their recurrence and impact on daily life.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts or images that persistently recur in one's mind, often causing discomfort.
  • 🤔 Intrusive thoughts can be random, disturbing, or violent, and they can make people question themselves.
  • 🔄 Despite being bothersome, intrusive thoughts are generally harmless and are a common experience for everyone.
  • 💭 Obsessing over intrusive thoughts or trying too hard to stop them can be harmful and can interfere with daily life.
  • 🌐 Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or OCD.
  • 🛑 There are three common types of intrusive thoughts: sexual thoughts, violent thoughts, and 'junk' thoughts which are irrelevant and nonsensical.
  • 🚫 The speaker suggests that trying to actively get rid of intrusive thoughts can be counterproductive, as it gives them more importance.
  • 🤷‍♂️ A recommended approach is to do 'nothing', meaning not to react to the thoughts or give them power by trying to eliminate them.
  • 🌈 Accepting and responding to intrusive thoughts with indifference can help reduce their frequency and impact.
  • 💪 Living life without letting intrusive thoughts dictate actions or decisions is key to overcoming their influence.
  • 🔄 The process of dealing with intrusive thoughts involves accepting their presence and not giving them undue attention or importance.
Q & A

  • What is an intrusive thought?

    -An intrusive thought is an unwanted, involuntary thought or image that can be uncomfortable and persistent, often popping back into one's mind despite attempts to ignore or dismiss it.

  • Why do intrusive thoughts occur?

    -Intrusive thoughts occur naturally and can happen to anyone. They are involuntary and often seem to arise without any specific reason, though they may be more frequent or intense in individuals with certain mental health conditions.

  • Are intrusive thoughts harmful?

    -Intrusive thoughts themselves are generally harmless. However, if one obsesses over them or tries to suppress them, they can become harmful by interfering with daily life and potentially being a symptom of a mental health condition.

  • Can intrusive thoughts be a sign of a mental health condition?

    -Yes, intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or OCD. Persistent and distressing intrusive thoughts may indicate the need for professional help.

  • What are the three common types of intrusive thoughts mentioned in the script?

    -The three common types of intrusive thoughts mentioned are sexual thoughts, violent thoughts, and what the speaker refers to as 'junk thoughts,' which are random and irrelevant thoughts that cause annoyance.

  • How should one respond to intrusive thoughts according to the script?

    -The script suggests adopting a 'nothing' attitude towards intrusive thoughts, meaning not to devise plans to get rid of them or give them value. Instead, one should acknowledge the thought and then let it pass without resistance.

  • What is the 'nothing' attitude towards intrusive thoughts?

    -The 'nothing' attitude involves not reacting to intrusive thoughts by planning to eliminate them or giving them significance. It's about treating thoughts as mere thoughts, without trying to stop them or attach meaning to them.

  • Why does the script suggest not trying to stop intrusive thoughts?

    -The script suggests not trying to stop intrusive thoughts because doing so can give them more power and attention. The act of trying to stop them can reinforce their presence and make them more likely to recur.

  • How can one live life with intrusive thoughts?

    -One can live life with intrusive thoughts by continuing to do the things they want to do, regardless of the thoughts. It involves not letting thoughts dictate actions or change one's life, and accepting their presence without giving them power.

  • What is the final advice given in the script for dealing with intrusive thoughts?

    -The final advice is to 'try nothing,' which means to stop trying to control or eliminate intrusive thoughts and instead accept their presence, live life as usual, and respond to them with indifference or even humor.

Outlines
00:00
🤯 Understanding Intrusive Thoughts

This paragraph delves into the concept of intrusive thoughts, explaining what they are and how they can affect individuals. It clarifies that everyone experiences these unwanted thoughts that persist despite efforts to dismiss them. The speaker emphasizes that while intrusive thoughts themselves are harmless, the issue arises when individuals obsess over them, potentially indicating a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, or OCD. The paragraph introduces three common types of intrusive thoughts: sexual thoughts, violent thoughts, and 'junk thoughts,' which are random and irrelevant but cause distress or annoyance. The key message is that one should not engage with these thoughts by trying to devise plans to get rid of them, as this only gives them more power and persistence.

05:01
🧘‍♂️ Embracing the 'Nothing' Approach to Intrusive Thoughts

The second paragraph introduces a strategy for dealing with intrusive thoughts, which is to adopt a 'nothing' attitude. This means not trying to suppress or eliminate the thoughts but rather acknowledging their presence without giving them significance or power. The speaker suggests responding to intrusive thoughts with phrases like 'I love these thoughts' or 'Join the party,' which paradoxically makes the thoughts less likely to persist. The idea is to invite the thoughts in, which can be counterintuitive but is intended to reduce their hold on the individual. The paragraph also advises against letting thoughts dictate behavior or life choices, advocating for living life as one wishes without being influenced by intrusive thoughts. The speaker encourages the audience to try this approach, emphasizing that it's worth the time to 'do nothing' in response to these thoughts.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Intrusive thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary ideas, images, or impulses that can be distressing and difficult to dismiss. They are a central theme in the video, illustrating the common experience of having thoughts that are unwanted and persistent. The script discusses how these thoughts can be random, disturbing, or violent, and how they often occur when least desired, likening them to a relentless child demanding attention.
💡Harmless
The term 'harmless' in the context of the video refers to the inherent nature of intrusive thoughts. The video explains that while intrusive thoughts can be uncomfortable, they are not inherently harmful unless given significance through obsession or attempts to suppress them, which can lead to interference in one's life.
💡Mental health condition
Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and OCD are mentioned in the script as potential conditions where intrusive thoughts can be a symptom. The video suggests that while occasional intrusive thoughts are common, their persistence can indicate an underlying mental health issue, particularly when they are accompanied by anxiety or fear.
💡Sexual thoughts
Sexual thoughts are identified as one of the three common types of intrusive thoughts in the video. They are described as natural and automatic but can become intrusive when they persist or cause worry. The script implies that these thoughts, while they may be uncomfortable, are a normal part of human experience.
💡Violent thoughts
Violent thoughts are another type of intrusive thought highlighted in the video. These can include thoughts of self-harm or harming others and are characterized by their graphic and real-seeming nature. The video script emphasizes that having such thoughts does not necessarily mean one would act on them, but they can cause significant distress.
💡Junk thoughts
Junk thoughts are described as random, irrelevant thoughts that have no bearing on one's life but persist in one's mind. The video script uses the term to illustrate the type of intrusive thoughts that may not carry significant emotional weight but are still bothersome and difficult to dislodge from consciousness.
💡Obsessing
Obsessing over intrusive thoughts is presented in the video as a behavior that can turn harmless thoughts into something harmful. The act of obsessing gives these thoughts undue importance and can exacerbate their frequency and impact on an individual's life.
💡Responding differently
The concept of responding differently to intrusive thoughts is a key strategy discussed in the video. It suggests that instead of trying to suppress or eliminate these thoughts, one should acknowledge them without judgment and invite them to 'join the party,' which can help in reducing their power and persistence.
💡Acceptance
Acceptance is a significant theme in the video's approach to dealing with intrusive thoughts. It involves embracing the presence of these thoughts without resistance or the desire to change them, which can help in reducing their influence and allowing them to fade naturally.
💡Living life
Living life, as mentioned in the video, is about continuing to engage in one's desired activities without being deterred by intrusive thoughts. The video emphasizes the importance of not allowing these thoughts to dictate one's actions or change one's lifestyle.
💡Doing nothing
The phrase 'doing nothing' in the context of the video refers to a strategy of non-engagement with intrusive thoughts. It suggests that instead of trying to actively combat these thoughts, one should simply acknowledge their presence and then carry on with life as usual, which can paradoxically lead to their reduction.
Highlights

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts or images that persist despite attempts to ignore them.

Intrusive thoughts can be sticky, uncomfortable, and not something one actually wants to think about.

The more you try to push intrusive thoughts away, the stronger they may come back.

Everyone has intrusive thoughts, but that doesn't mean they are not significant to the individual.

Intrusive thoughts can be random, disturbing, violent, or constant and relentless.

Having intrusive thoughts can sometimes be a sign of a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or OCD.

Intrusive thoughts can come in the form of sexual thoughts, which are natural and automatic.

Violent thoughts, such as harming oneself or others, can be a type of intrusive thought.

Junk thoughts are intrusive thoughts with no relevance to one's life that can cause annoyance.

The 'nothing' approach suggests not devising a plan to get rid of intrusive thoughts as it gives them value.

Treating a thought as just a thought can help in dealing with intrusive thoughts.

Inviting intrusive thoughts rather than resisting them can be a more effective strategy.

Intrusive thoughts will slow down if you respond to them as if you don't care about them.

Living life and not changing your actions based on intrusive thoughts is key to managing them.

The 'try nothing' approach is suggested as a method to deal with intrusive thoughts effectively.

The video encourages viewers to try the 'nothing' approach as it is worth their time.

Transcripts

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Intrusive ThoughtsMental HealthAnxietyOCDCoping StrategiesDepressionSelf-HelpMindfulnessPsychologyEmotional Wellbeing