If you have OCD, you could be attempting to figure out how to stop having OCD thoughts. It’s not just you, a lot of OCD sufferers are unaware that they may not always be able to regulate the painful ideas they encounter. Although this knowledge could first make you feel anxious, realizing how and why your OCD thinking operates will help you find better coping mechanisms.
About OCD
94% of the 777 college students from 13 different countries surveyed in a 2014 study that was published in the Journal of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders had at least one intrusive thought in the three months prior.
Despite the fact that many people experience these odd or even frightening thoughts, most people don’t think they pose a problem in their daily lives. When they turn from being obtrusive to intrusive, there is a problem.
OCD patients experience intrusive thoughts frequently and intensely, which can be harmful to their wellbeing. Instead of reacting neutrally to a passing thought, a person with OCD feels a reaction in their body and mind.
The more they dwell on the concept, the more anxious they become. The cycle might be upsetting and may affect their ability to operate.
What are intrusive thoughts in OCD?
Images, ideas, or recollections that frequently or at any time enter your mind are referred to as intrusive thoughts. It could be challenging for you to consciously put these ideas behind.
These intrusive thoughts, which have a detrimental effect on your mood and capacity to function when you have OCD, might linger for more than an hour every day.
Many topics can appear in intrusive thoughts. Even while some may not be unpleasant, the fact that they constantly popping up might be frustrating and exhausting. These themes can occasionally be frightening and unpleasant.
You might, for instance, have persistent ideas about harming yourself. Although the thought of doing it keeps running through your thoughts, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you want to.
Some instances of obsessive thoughts are as follows:
- Replaying previous discussions in your thoughts on a continuous loop.
- Fear of speaking inappropriately to others
- Fear of expressing unfavorable ideas are some symptoms of OCD. You may talk to a top psychiatrist in Lahore to overcome these symptoms.
Ways to stop your OCD Thoughts
It makes sense that someone who has OCD would desire to permanently end these thoughts. It might be more difficult than simply taking a pill, though.
The need for performing compulsions and intrusive thoughts can both be managed with professional OCD treatment, so you should seek it out right away.
Apart from this, you can help yourself through the following mentioned solutions for stopping your OCD thoughts.
1. Consider speaking with a mental health professional
Gaining control over intrusive thoughts and other symptoms may be made easier by collaborating closely with a medical practitioner, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Some people with OCD also exhibit symptoms of anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. These symptoms, as well as others, can be recognised and a comprehensive management strategy can be created with the assistance of your therapist.
They may also discuss potential OCD medications that could be helpful, suggest specific types of psychotherapy that may be effective for your situation, and support you in developing coping mechanisms you can employ at any time.
2. Try exposure response prevention (ERP)
The first line of OCD symptom treatment is exposure response prevention therapy. Exposure response prevention therapy is the first line defense in the treatment of OCD symptoms.
This type of therapy helps with the management of obsessive thoughts and compulsions by exposing you to the former and preventing you from engaging in the latter.
Say, for instance, that you feel compelled to wash your hands repeatedly because you have disturbing thoughts that warn you that doing otherwise will result in illness and death.
You can experience these thoughts with the aid of ERP therapy without needing to wash your hands. Once you understand that not constantly washing your hands doesn’t lead to illness and death, your distress may eventually start to fade.
3. Try to develop effective distractions
You might find your thoughts to be difficult to prevent or stop because they appear suddenly. But you might find some respite if you can learn to rapidly divert your focus from these thoughts.
And, try to keep in mind that OCD obsessions are frequently challenging to manage on your own without assistance from a specialist. Research suggests that when you divert yourself, your brain activity lowers and you experience less racing thoughts.
Even if this might be effective for you, it would just be short-term. If you want to avoid engaging in compulsions, distractions could be more helpful.
A few examples are
- Washing your face with ice water
- Dancing and listening to loud music
- Concentrating on deep breathing and other relaxation techniques
- From your toes to your head, begin tapping and pressing.
4. Consider exercising regularly
Exercise may lessen compulsions and improve your mood. They might also assist you in managing OCD thoughts.
Generally speaking, exercise can aid in anxiety reduction.
You might wish to engage in some form of physical activity as a daily preventive habit to help with that. Some people may find temporary respite by exercising when having troubling thoughts.
Do intrusive thoughts go away on their own?
Without formal OCD treatment, intrusive and obsessive thoughts usually don’t go away. Despite the fact that compulsions may ease your tension brought on by obsessive thoughts, these usually return.
Moreover, rituals may require a lot of time and effort, which can be draining and stressful.
How long do intrusive thoughts last?
OCD patients may experience intrusive thoughts for the rest of their lives. It’s likely that if you’re undergoing treatment, you’ll either experience them less frequently or develop coping mechanisms that will help you deal with them more calmly.
Without treatment, you can frequently have obsessive thoughts because there is currently no cure for OCD.
Bottom Line
Ideas and pictures that enter your mind unexpectedly are known as intrusive thoughts, and they frequently lead to severe distress.
An official OCD symptom is intrusive obsessive thinking. You may experience intrusive thoughts frequently and persistently, especially if you don’t receive OCD treatment.
Intrusive thoughts typically don’t go away on their own. You may find relief from intrusive thoughts and their accompanying compulsions through exposure response prevention therapy, grounding diversions, and exercise.
For further assistance, you may book an appointment with the best psychiatrist right now.
