CBT Therapy for Intrusive Thoughts 

 

What are Intrusive Thoughts 

 

• Intrusive thoughts are a random, unsettling thought that seemingly pop into your head out of nowhere as if it were automatic. They can take the form of unwarranted impulses, doubts, unsettling images or persistent thoughts. They may be violent, sexual or a recurring fear. They can often lead to feelings of distress and unease.  

 

• Intrusive thoughts vary significantly. Some may be as mild as “what if I sent this email to the wrong person” or “what if I accidently tripped on the stairs”. These are intrusive thoughts that everyone experiences and are easily dismissed. However, some intrusive thoughts present as more unsettling and can be more invasive towards someone’s life. These can include thoughts such as: 

 

“What if I didn’t lock the door and someone breaks in” or “what if I have a serious illness I don’t know about” 

 

It is with these where they can affect an individual’s behaviours. The former may lead to persistent checking while the latter may intensify someone’s health anxiety. The most severe intrusive thoughts can be examples such as:  

 

“What if I randomly stabbed a loved one” or “What if I lose control and swerve the car off the road”  

 

These intrusive thoughts are far more significant in their impact on daily life and can be deeply upsetting, often being associated with various other disorders. 

 

• While intrusive thoughts are a phenomenon experienced by almost everyone at some point in their life, for some individuals they occur more regularly and persist for much longer, causing significant distress. If you recognise these thought patterns occurring regularly and affecting your daily behaviour, we recommend seeking medical advice.  

 

 

Intrusive Thoughts as a Facet of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrusive Thoughts as a Facet of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrusive Thoughts as a Facet of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Treat Intrusive Thoughts? 

 

• CBT has been shown to yield significant results in the treatment of intrusive thoughts. This is done through a series of techniques: