The Intrusive Thought

An intrusive thought is an unwelcome, involuntary thought, image, or unpleasant idea that may become an obsession, is upsetting or distressing, and can feel difficult to manage or eliminate.

When such thoughts are associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, body dysmorphic disorder, and sometimes attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, the thoughts may become paralyzing, anxiety-provoking, or persistent.

Intrusive thoughts may also be associated with episodic memory, unwanted worries or memories from OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, eating disorders, or psychosis. Intrusive thoughts, urge, and images are of inappropriate things at inappropriate times and generally have aggressive, sexual, or blasphemous themes.

“Thoughts would pop in when I least wanted them, working me into a frenzy!” – Pain in the Intrusive “butt.”

The illustrious and pain in the intrusive “butt ” thought. How many veterans or first responders have found themselves deep down the rabbit hole with thoughts you have no desire to have. They pop in and not only say hello but stay. If only you could charge them rent for the space they occupy in your head.

You are driving to pick up the kids from school, and suddenly out of the left-field, this thought pops in. And before you know it, you are playing out a scenario in your mind where your kids are driving you crazy. And the crappy part of this thought is, you are still five minutes away from their school. Oh, this is going to be fun. Anyone reading this relate.  Those thoughts that randomly in your mind that take you to places you don’t want to go are called intrusive thoughts.

The intrusive thought can cause your body to go into a high-stress state as you produce cortisol, and you begin to tense up.  Cortisol is very unhealthy because it can lead to a depressed immune system, diabetes, cancers of all kinds, and much more.  How do you get rid of the intrusive thoughts?

Two-Part Solution

That’s a two-part solution.  If it is related to PTSD, you go through the Tactical Resiliency Process (TRP). You can connect with one of our virtual health coaches and do the required 1-4 sessions.  We say 1-4, but it depends on the trauma level. If you do a TRP session with a virtual health coach/resiliency coach, don’t get your feelings hurt when they tell you to shut up about your trauma. 

That’s not part of the process; they don’t need to hear it and don’t want to hear it. It’s good for them, and it’s good for you.  If you want to talk about your trauma, then go to counseling.  We do not counsel here. Your PTSD may be gone in a few sessions (1-4) or your money back.  Can your therapist guarantee you that? Ask for the research documents of the Tactical Resiliency Process (TRP) or download them here.

The second part of the solution is if it’s not related to PTSD and negative emotions, you’ll want the Emotions Management Process (EMP). That may be your way forward.  Find the earliest onset of the problem and reframe it with EMP.  Again no content; we don’t need it.  The only thing required for you to change the emotional state related to the trauma or negative emotions is that quick trigger to the emotion.  The work that occurs afterward will change the emotional state and do it permanently.

Problem solved. If you are interested in a 15-minute call to discuss the process, connect with me at dan@22zero.org, and let’s get an appointment on the books. Happy healing!

If you are a veteran, active military, first responder, corrections, emergency medical, your work is free through the nonprofit. All others are $150 a session.

By Dan Jarvis
The Founder and President of 22Zero

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