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Contrary to what most people think, intrusive thoughts or involuntary disturbing thoughts that are often unsettling are common and manageable. Their content is often unnerving, which leads to shame or worry. 

Harvard Medical School psychiatry professors Dr. Kerry-Ann Williams and Dr. Olivera Bogunovic shared that life stressors and hormonal balance elevate this risk. They also talked about how isolation, especially during the pandemic, contributes to women's anxiety and obsessive thinking.

Intrusive thoughts are common in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders or OCD. Despite their distress, intrusive thoughts do not denote secret desires or pose harm. Dr. Williams said that it is common for patients to be reluctant to discuss these thoughts due to embarrassment or fear of judgment. However, managing them requires acceptance, without attempting to banish the thoughts while understanding that they do not reflect personal beliefs or desires. 

Here are a few ways to deal with intrusive thoughts:

Positive approach and meditation

A positive approach involves self-encouragement when intrusive thoughts arise, affirming they pose no harm. Bold action can counter these thoughts. Meditation also aids in calming the mind and understanding negativity, helping prevent unnecessary thoughts.

Cognitive behavior therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT addresses intrusive thoughts and obsessive-compulsive disorder by analyzing thoughts' impact on behavior. It combines cognitive and behavioral analysis, exploring thoughts and subsequent reactions. 

Therapists aim to alter thought patterns and responses, potentially changing one's outlook. Tailored to current issues, CBT transforms negative thinking into positive patterns, offering cognitive or behavioral therapy based on symptoms like depression, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts.

Medication

Various medications address intrusive thoughts, including serotonin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used for depression and related conditions, taking around 10 weeks to be effective. Longer durations may amplify side effects like headaches and sleep disturbances. 

Specific drugs like Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Sertraline and Fluvoxamine cater to different age groups, while additional psychiatric and antidepressant medications might be recommended by the doctor.