Sleep loss gives rise to intrusive thoughts. If you don't let it in, you don't have to get it out: Thought preemption as a method to control unwanted thoughts. Accounting for intrusive thoughts in PTSD: Contributions of cognitive control and deliberate regulation strategies. And anxiety may be an early sign of the condition, since both anxiety and Parkinson’s are caused by similar changes in the brain. Parkinson’s disease: On average, about 30 of people with Parkinson’s develop anxiety, which can present as intrusive thoughts. Obsessional and eating disorder-related intrusive thoughts: Differences and similarities withing and between individuals vulnerable to OCD or to EDs. And half of new mothers have intrusive thoughts about purposely harming their babies. Intrusive thoughts: linking spontaneous mind wandering and OCD symptomatology. Maternal unwanted and intrusive thoughts of infant-related harm, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression in the perinatal period: study protocol. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0270692Ĭollardeau F, Corbyn B, Abramowitz J, Janssen PA, Woody S, Fairbrother N. Exam-related unwanted intrusive thoughts and related neutralizing behaviors: Analogues to obsessions and compulsions.

Kollárik M, Heinzel CV, Miché M, Lieb R, Wahl K. Brain meta-state transitions demarcate thoughts across task contexts exposing the mental noise of trait neuroticism. Reminders of the event or experiencing similar situations may trigger these thoughts.Īnxiety and Depression Association of America. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Trauma or past experiences can create intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event.Eating disorders: Many people with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, experience intrusive thoughts about body image, weight, and food.For people with OCD, intrusive thoughts can dominate their daily lives and significantly impact their quality of life. Anxiety as a coping mechanism: In some cases, anxiety and intrusive thoughts might serve as a way for individuals to mentally prepare themselves for potential dangers or worst-case scenarios, even if these scenarios are unlikely. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to relieve the distress caused by the thoughts. This can lead to an increased focus on intrusive thoughts and an amplified sense of threat.Depression: People with depression can experience persistent negative, intrusive thoughts about themselves, the world, and the future.

This can generate intrusive thoughts that reflect your worst fears and worries, such as accidents, illnesses, or social situations.

Anxiety disorders: Anxiety can make people more sensitive to potential threats or dangers, leading to an overactive fear response.

New parents may have a sudden thought or fear of dropping their newborn or alarming thoughts of harming their new baby.

Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and postpartum can trigger intrusive thoughts.

Stress: When you’re going through a period of increased stress or feeling anxious about a traumatic or stressful event, you may have more intrusive thoughts than usual.

Health anxiety: Unshakable fears that something is wrong with the baby leading to frequent checking for symptoms, excessive online researching, calls to the pediatrician, or unwarranted doctor/ER visits. Intrusive thoughts can occur for a variety of reasons, says Hafeez, including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or underlying mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Difficulty caring for the baby: Fear of harming the baby leading to avoidance of being alone with the baby or participating in caretaking tasks.

Overprotectiveness: Fears that others will harm the baby leading to complete and excessive control of care.

Rigid obsessive schedule adherence, and extreme distress when not able to adhere to a schedule.

Contamination fears leading to excessive cleaning, sterilizing, and avoidance measures (including avoidance of leaving the house or interacting with others).

Violent/harm intrusive thoughts: “I keep imagining my baby falling and cracking his head open.” “I might smother my baby by accident.' 'What if I stab the baby?” If you continue to struggle with unwanted intrusive thoughts, it can be helpful to talk to a Counsellor, Psychotherapist, or CBT therapist who will help you.

Sexual intrusive thoughts: “What if I molest my baby?” “What if I am turned on when changing my baby’s diaper?”.Common examples of postpartum OCD thoughts and behaviors

Anxiety and intrusive thoughts