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Intrusive thoughts can be disturbing and may result in guilt or shame. The good news is they are not harmful if you have the tools to manage them effectively. Bournewood Health Systems offers an accepting, stigma-free environment to help you reduce distress, regain control, and find peace through evidence-based treatment options.
Intrusive thoughts can sometimes be the symptom of a mental health disorder. They can be linked to other conditions such as anxiety disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These thoughts can include distressing images, irrational fears, or sudden impulses that prompt unnecessary or repetitive behaviors.
Any significant life stressor can increase the risk for intrusive thoughts. There are many types of intrusive thoughts, and while they may be considered embarrassing or inappropriate, they are not based in reality and do not define a person’s intentions. While anyone may experience unsettling thoughts occasionally, if they become the norm, start disrupting your daily routine, or affect your quality of life, it is time to seek help.
As a leading mental health service provider in Massachusetts, the multidisciplinary team at Bournewood takes a holistic approach to helping individuals manage intrusive thoughts. Using a combination of therapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and techniques such as mindfulness to promote calmness, we focus on reducing distress and regaining control over thought patterns.
Some people learn to live with intrusive thoughts by developing tools to counter the disturbing thoughts and reduce the associated anxiety. Mild cases can sometimes be managed by recognizing the obtrusive thought as unusual and accepting it calmly without self-judgment.
It is important to reach out to a mental health professional who can help you address the cause of the intrusive thoughts, which may be trauma, stress, or anxiety. Therapies such as CBT are an effective way to find long-term relief.
At Bournewood, our team is committed to creating treatment plans that meet the specific needs of each individual. We understand that intrusive thoughts often include images and ideas that may come with feelings of shame or guilt. We offer a safe and non-judgmental environment where we can explore the root causes of intrusive thoughts and address your concerns with dignity and respect.
Together, we’ll work to equip you with the tools to regain control of intrusive thoughts. Our people-first approach and proven therapy options provide hope for lasting recovery.
Intrusive thoughts do not define your character and they should not disrupt your life. The compassionate team at Bournewood is ready to help you find relief with proven therapies in a welcoming environment. Call us at 800-468-4358 to learn more about how we can help, or contact us online today!
Here are a few frequently asked questions about intrusive thoughts:
Intrusive thoughts can be triggered by anxiety, trauma, stress, or biological changes such as hormonal fluctuations after childbirth. They are also associated with mental health conditions such as OCD, where the intrusive thought promotes a repetitive behavior or compulsion.
Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts from time to time. It’s important to remember that they do not reflect your values, and they are not premonitions. If intrusive thoughts have become more frequent and disruptive, reach out to Bournewood for support.
Our compassionate, professional team specializes in intrusive throught treatment and is here to support you. Intake specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call and help you begin yon this path.
Trauma-informed treatment is the foundation of all our services and programs. That’s why, at Bournewood Health Systems we are committed to a trauma-informed and person-centered treatment philosophy in which we strive to mitigate conflict in the treatment milieu for the safety of patients, families, and staff.
We are dedicated to providing the kind of support necessary to enable each person to meet their wellness and recovery goals. The leadership and staff understand that many of those served by the hospital have experienced trauma during their lifetime – trauma which often leaves lasting emotional hardship. It is our intention to prevent the use of any potentially re-traumatizing practices, especially the use of restraint and/or seclusion, and to make the hospital as emotionally and physically safe as possible. For this reason, we are determined to provide a range of tools and alternatives to assist patients in managing their behavior and emotions and avoid the need for external physical control.
We are proud of our well-trained staff that collaborate, provide choice, and are excellent at de-escalation. We are also proud of our highly skilled rehabilitation department that enables us to provide an array of sensory strategies. They have taught the Bournewood community about the importance of sensory interventions and how to best use them to help our clients decrease stress, anxiety, and agitation and integrate techniques for self-regulation and self-control.
As part of our practice we provide trauma-informed care from the beginning of hospitalization in the form of a Personal Safety Plan. This includes asking people upon admission about triggers that might cause them to become upset, warning signs that are often physical signs of impending distress, and strategies to help the person identify coping skills and avoid escalation to the point of crisis. It is our intention to provide the earliest interventions possible tailored to each unique individual. Having this information from the time of admission will help us meet this goal.
This website is not intended to give clinical or medical advice. If you are experiencing an emergency or crisis, please go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department or call 911.