Intrusive thoughts: what they are and how to deal with them

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https://goodwordnews.com/intrusive-thoughts-what-they-are-and-how-to-deal-with-them/

By Sara Adm
CNN

Have you ever been hiking with your partner when you suddenly imagine pushing them off a cliff? Or, on your way home from work, you can’t shake the feeling that you hit someone with your car without realizing it? What if liking your coworker’s cologne and worrying must mean you don’t like your husband?

These are intrusive thoughts, which are “repetitive, unwanted thoughts that can appear seemingly out of nowhere,” said Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist based in New York state and author of the upcoming book “Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being.

Intrusive thoughts can be about anything, but often the content is violent, sexually inappropriate, disturbing, or at odds with the person’s values ​​or character, causing the person experiencing them to experience great anxiety, disgust, or distress. , according to experts.

Regardless of the nature of the content, its target is often what people are most interested in, said Stephanie Woodrow, clinical director of the National Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center in Washington, DC.

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