Do you have seemingly random thoughts that appear whether you’re sitting in a noisy classroom or drifting off to sleep in a comfy bed? People who experience intrusive thoughts imagine terrible things, such as pushing a person in front of a car even though they have no intention or desire to do so.
These occasional thoughts can range from embarrassing and immoral, to disturbing and harmful. One article (Intrusive Thoughts: What Are They?) observed that 93 percent of people experience at least a single intrusive thought over the course of 3 months.
Evolution
“Intrusive thoughts may be a way of our brain warning or signaling us to pay attention to something or some idea; this explanation is supported by evolutionary psychology,” explained Mrs. Deep, a psychology teacher here at New Hartford High School.
Biological
Researchers have yet to find a decisive answer on why we have intrusive thoughts, but an article from Canyon Health suggests that these thoughts can stem from stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression . Aside from a neurological influence, hormonal shifts, like a pregnancy, can also trigger an increase in intrusive thoughts. PubMed also suggests that it is caused by neural pathways misfiring.
Some students at the New Hartford Senior High School, including sophomore Subhaan Mian, believe that these intrusive thoughts come from doubt within oneself.
Cultural
What about the cultural perspective? Everyone experiences different intrusive thoughts and on different scales.
Mrs. Deep says that “mental processes and behaviors can be attributed to both nature and nurture.”
This means that the contents of your thoughts are representative of the fears and taboos in your society (Canyon Health). In societies with religion, followers may have profane intrusive thoughts such as imagining an offensive picture of a religious figure, according to Scrupulosity.com.
Many different people are affected by these intrusive thoughts in many ways. Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with increased anxiety make them more susceptible to continual intrusive thoughts, according to mcleanhospital.org.
But what should you do if you have intrusive thoughts? A helpful tip is to not fight or engage in the thought, and let it fade. Dwelling on these thoughts can cause greater distress. Keep in mind that these thoughts do not characterize you, suggests Harvard Health. And if it interferes with daily life, consulting with a professional is recommended. School social workers such as Mrs. Hoyer, here at New Hartford Senior High School, are also available to talk with you about your concerns. But rest assured, these thoughts are a normal part of human experience.
