Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts, images, or impulses that cause the person experiencing them disturbance or distress. These thoughts often appear suddenly and may feel out of the individuals control. These thoughts do not reflect the individual’s values or intentions and are thus concerning and distressing to the individual themselves. Common intrusive thoughts include violent images, inappropriate sexual ideas, or thoughts of harming oneself or others. Intrusive thoughts are a symptom one may experience in tangent with an anxiety, OCD, or trauma related disorder.
