How to Avoid Intrusive Thoughts on Reddit
Having intrusive thoughts can be a terrifying thing. These thoughts can be paranoid, bizarre, or even violent. Avoiding them is often tricky, but you must keep at it. These thoughts will eventually catch you and drag you back into the pit of despair. It will get easier as you struggle with these thoughts, but you must remain vigilant and dedicated to your recovery.
Intrusive thoughts are disturbing.
Intrusive thoughts are a common mental health problem. While most people can ignore these thoughts, for some, they become disturbing and interfere with their lives. If you are prone to these thoughts, seeking treatment may be the best option. However, it is essential to remember that intrusive thoughts are not signs of a more severe problem.
Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that pop into our minds unexpectedly. They may be violent, sexual, or threatening and make us uncomfortable or weird. Whether we are alone or with others, intrusive thoughts are disturbing.
They can be violent.
Intrusive thoughts can be bothersome and may lead to violence. Often these thoughts are violent images or impulses to act. This can include thinking about killing other people or yourself. They may also involve sharp objects like ice picks, letter openers, power tools, poison, etc. Other violent thoughts may include driving a car and ramming into oncoming traffic or bridge abutments.
Fortunately, there is help for people suffering from intrusive thoughts. One method is called Exposure and Response Prevention, ERP. This therapy involves exposing the sufferer to violent thoughts by confronting them in a controlled setting. The process can either be done with a therapist or independently at home. The key to ERP is that the therapist does not reassure the sufferer. The goal is to make them feel frightened and apprehensive.
They can be bizarre.
While some subreddits deal with fundamental topics, many focus on the ridiculous or weird. Some subreddits are dedicated to topics such as bread stapled to trees and birds with arms, while others are intended to make people laugh. There are even subreddits where people discuss shower orange and zombie survival tactics.
They can be paranoid.
Having intrusive thoughts is a common symptom of paranoia. These thoughts usually involve ideas about other people. It can be challenging to distinguish between paranoid and suspicious thoughts. It is also important to remember that different people may perceive the same evidence differently.
Some intrusive thoughts are just based on personal experience, while others are more justified. A history of discrimination or persecution may increase the likelihood of intrusive thoughts, particularly among young black men.
They can lead to depression.
Many people have difficulty figuring out how to control intrusive thoughts and manage their moods. These thoughts can become so intrusive and distracting that they interfere with work and personal life. One way to combat intrusive thoughts is to learn to recognize them and filter them out. While this won't make them disappear, it will make them more manageable.
Intrusive thoughts are often associated with mental health disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by repetitive behaviours. They can also be symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental condition that often occurs after a traumatic event.
