Intrusive Thoughts

by Courtney Linn

I have recently been diagnosed with Health Anxiety and Agoraphobia. After that, all of a sudden I started having these intrusive thoughts and for a few weeks, I really thought I was going to do these horrible things and/or going CRAZY! I talked to my therapist and he said its an OCD symptom, but the thing is, I dont have any other characteristic of OCD. Can I really being going crazy, or can these intrusive thoughts really be caused by my other two anxieties?!

Reply from Sound-Mind.org

Hello Courtney Linn,

Intrusive thoughts are one of the most bothersome symptoms of anxiety for many people. While you may not have full OCD, you are definately experiencing "pure O"...meaning "pure obsessions". Remember, OCD (obessive-compulsive disorder) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by certain symptoms. Although you may not have full OCD - you are definately experiencing "a symptom" of OCD, which is again, a symptom of anxiety. Personally, I don't consider them the same thing, but then again, I am not a doctor. Be sure to check out Obsessive Thinking: Ending Scary Thoughts for tips on breaking the cycle of repetitive, scary thoughts. Please be encouraged! No matter how busy your mind becomes with these obsessive, intrusive thoughts, you will not GO CRAZY! It helps to accept these thoughts and not to try to push them away. By accepting, you are lessening the threat in your subconsious mind. Try not to give them anymore attention than they deserve. Remind yourself they are thoughts...ONLY thoughts! Accept and don't make a big deal out of them. When you do this long enough, they will fade into the background and lose their power to keep you anxious! Hang in there Courney! One day at a time.
~Susan

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