![]() “The mind and body are intricately linked, so mental health conditions can also lead to physical health problems like high blood pressure, headaches, digestive issues, muscle aches, chronic pain, and an increased risk of infections,” Shepard adds. These could lead you to experience other challenges such as: In fact, obsessions have the potential to impact your overall sense of well-being and prevent you from enjoying activities, work, or relationships. “People may try to talk themselves out of these thoughts or distract themselves, but obsessive thoughts are not easily short-lived.” Jaclyn Bauer, a clinical psychologist in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California. “These thoughts can range from mild annoyance to all-consuming,” says Dr. What is it like to live with obsessive thoughts? The main difference is that rumination creates a distressing loop about the past, while obsessive thinking may also generate fear about the possibilities of the future. Sometimes, obsessive thinking is similar to rumination, a common feature of those who live with an anxiety disorder. Obsessive thoughts may start as intrusive thoughts, says Shepard, but they’re different in that they’re more intense, frequent, and upsetting. You may start having difficulty sleeping or completing daily tasks. It may be difficult to put these thoughts away. ![]() Melissa Shepard, a psychiatrist in Baltimore, Maryland.įor some other people, however, intrusive thoughts become persistent, significantly distressing, and aren’t easily dismissed.įor example, you may constantly think about hurting your ex or their new partner, fear embarrassing yourself in front of them, or dread running into them. “We all have upsetting thoughts that pop into our minds from time to time,” says Dr. ![]() You may even be able to avoid these thoughts if you focus on a task or distract yourself with friends and family. But eventually, they decrease in intensity and frequency. These intrusive thoughts may affect your mood and some of your behaviors. They could include a memory that flashes in your mind, or a song that sticks around in your head for a while.įor example, it may be natural to have persistent intrusive thoughts about your ex-partner after breaking up. ![]() Intrusive thoughts are common and, in many circumstances, natural and expected. ![]()
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