Feeling contaminated after using public toilets? Or worried you will suddenly push a fellow passenger in front of the oncoming train?

These are, very common, intrusive thoughts and the vast majority of us experience them, but few of us talk about them.

Although normal, the thoughts can be alarming. They can make us think we secretly want to harm ourselves or others, or maybe that we will be contaminated or overwhelmed with feeling. 

Maybe we start to do things to counteract the thoughts, like replacing scary thoughts with positive images, or repeating phrases or prayers about loved ones. Maybe we start washing, checking or ordering things to bring a sense of relief? 

Before we know it, we’re in a cycle of performing actions in order to stop the thoughts coming true. We feel forced to perform the actions that bring relief and our routines get longer, more specific and less effective at keeping away our dark thoughts. 

Is that proof then that the thoughts are true? Is there no way out other than
to keep performing whatever rituals we have been doing for so long?
It’s not and there is.

I use a combination of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Compassion Focussed Therapy and ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) to target the mechanism behind the intrusive thoughts and allow you to reclaim your life.

Some common intrusive thoughts:

Fear of germs or disease

Touching bodily fluids (our own or others’)

Accidental harm to others

Starting a fire / causing a flood

Unwanted sexual images

Blasphemous thoughts

Doubts about relationships

Doubts about our previous actions/behaviours

Thoughts of infidelity

Thoughts of immorality

Sense of disgust

Book a free 15-minute call to see how I might be able to help.