What are obsessive thoughts?
Along with compulsive actions, obsessive thoughts are one of the main symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. They are unpleasant thoughts, often perceived as threatening, which are repeatedly forced upon the affected person. They often have frightening, offensive or aggressive content.
Obsessive thoughts trigger the urge to do something about them. These compulsive impulses often lead to compulsive actions. Performing certain actions or attempting to conjure up other thoughts to stop the obsessive thought is what experts call neutralizing.
How do you overcome obsessive thoughts?
Psychotherapy for obsessive thoughts
Another problem is that people with OCD often try to suppress the obsessive thoughts or focus attention on other thoughts. However, this only helps in the short term and even makes the obsessive thoughts occur more frequently in the long term.
Medication for obsessive thoughts
In many cases, obsessive thoughts are treated with the help of medication. Doctors prescribe certain antidepressants, so-called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine. However, their effect only sets in after a few weeks, and when the medication is discontinued, the problems return.
Even when taken long-term, antidepressants are not addictive.
Obsessive thoughts: self-help
There are some principles you should be aware of when dealing with obsessive thoughts to support self-healing:
Second, keep in mind that thoughts are not the fundamental precursors to action. No matter how aggressive, offensive, or threatening the thoughts seem, people with OCD do not put their problematic thoughts into action. Trust your character. This is not affected by the obsessive thoughts.
Seek help as soon as possible
How do you recognize obsessive thoughts?
Obsessive thoughts are not necessarily different in content from normal, everyday fears, but their intensity is much stronger. They often generate disgust or fear in the affected person.
The following types of obsessive thoughts are typical:
- Contamination fears (of infection, poisoning) and fear for physical health
- (Homo-) sexual obsessive thoughts
- Religious obsessions
- Pathological doubt, such as a mother’s fear of having treated her child wrongly
- Magical fear that a thought will lead to a negative event
Some people suffer from negative thoughts, such as fear of going crazy or ideas of sudden death. This may be a panic disorder. This is accompanied by physical complaints such as shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness and nausea.
What causes lead to obsessive thoughts?
Every person experiences from time to time that unpleasant thoughts force themselves upon them. Such thoughts arise suddenly and are sometimes frightening, terrifying or disgusting. However, most people do not attach any particular importance to these thoughts, and the ideas disappear again.
Exactly how obsessive thoughts and their various forms occur has not yet been conclusively clarified. Corresponding studies show that there is a hereditary predisposition. Changes in the brain (for example, a disturbed serotonin balance) and external influences (such as highly stressful situations) also play a role.
You can find out more about the possible causes of obsessive thoughts in the article Obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is characterized by such thoughts.
