Do you get intrusive thoughts sometimes?

34 views
2 times supported
3 comments

Somya.P

Community manager

13/08/2025 at 16:47

Good advisor

Somya.P

Community manager

Last activity on 06/11/2025 at 10:06

Joined in 2023

795 comments posted | 53 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

71 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi everyone, how are you feeling today?

Have you ever had a strange, unwanted thought suddenly pop into your head, something distressing, confusing, or just plain odd? You're not alone.

These are called intrusive thoughts. They can happen to anyone and are often harmless, even if they feel upsetting. Sometimes they show up as worries about forgetting something important, fears of accidentally hurting someone, or thoughts that just don’t feel like “you.”

For many people living with mental or chronic health conditions, intrusive thoughts can feel more intense or frequent, and harder to talk about.

🗣️ This is a safe space to share:

Have you experienced intrusive thoughts?
How do they show up for you? Stress, doubt, fear, or shame?
What have you learned that helps you manage them (therapy, mindfulness, naming the thought, talking to someone…)?

Whether you're just curious or looking for solidarity, we’d love to hear your perspective. You’re not weird, broken, or alone. 💙

Take care,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

All comments

Stemosh

03/09/2025 at 09:25

Good advisor

Stemosh

Last activity on 03/09/2025 at 10:15

Joined in 2015

6 comments posted | 6 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi Somya

I've had depression for the past 5 weeks and this is my first proper relapse in over a decade. I’ve always had intrusive thoughts and have had Passive Suicidal ideation where I worry I will harm myself in the future and that I’ll give up. They cause a lot of fear and worry as I know I will eventually get better all I have to do is survive and keep going. I’m struggling at the moment with them as in a bit of a hole waiting for my Citalopram to kick in (on min dose 3 weeks in). I find therapy helped me understand the thoughts and that it’s a fear and not a realistic expectation of the further. I’m currently at my lowest and I know I don’t want to so that’s good and hopefully this relapse won’t last long. To all you out there struggling you can do it no matter how dark it is. Keep going and seek help

Ste

(I would welcome any advice)

Do you get intrusive thoughts sometimes? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/do-you-get-intrusive-thoughts-sometimes-5780 2025-09-03 09:25:55

Close all

See the responses

Somya.P

Community manager

09/09/2025 at 18:39

Good advisor

Somya.P

Community manager

Last activity on 06/11/2025 at 10:06

Joined in 2023

795 comments posted | 53 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

71 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi @Stemosh

Thank you so much for opening up and sharing what you’re going through, it takes a lot of strength to put these feelings into words, especially during such a difficult moment. I'm really sorry to hear you're in this space right now, but I want to acknowledge how incredibly self-aware and courageous your message is. You’re facing something heavy with honesty, insight, and determination, and that in itself is so powerful. Waiting for medication to take effect can feel like an eternity, especially when you're already feeling low. It's comforting to hear that you've found therapy helpful in the past and that you’re able to recognize the thoughts as fear, not fact. That clarity can be a real anchor, even when things feel darkest.

I want to gently encourage others in the community, if you’ve been through a relapse, or struggled during the waiting period with antidepressants, feel free to share what helped you cope.

@Hippychick67 @annie_o @Scrowther @fibrofogbaby @Rose1952 @Beyondwords_uk @Scoomoo @Bilbobags @Elaineanne @bigbear @Corrina @lazystar @jvm00010 @BigMacGregor @chrissie123 @bobjen @beryl50 @katrinalove @Chriss @Pinky58 @sebastian @thelicencee @SomersetSeasider @laceytree @shelly68 @Sutherland @mikkiangelo @sher1ock3d @Jachieh @Stemosh @BrianM @mrkarl50 @Lack1512 @Polly34 @ajguest @helsinki @JHubby @fernster @slousa @jamesm @sepop36 @toadlonewolf @Pete56 @pearldrops @Charlotte777 @Bigfofo @katz38 @amandeep @AmandaK @Hippymum @Tigger.co.uk @ElizabethJane1 @happylad1970 @Jonbon31 @smokitcat @whitecross1955 @Dolphin74 @annafielding @Popbabe @disneychannelmogul @LynnDoherty @Mark_O @FionaDevlin @sophiesmum @chrissie2018 @Sleepyspoonie @maury58 @Dalrossi @Raindrops @Karenlesley @Leekat @YazminPelling @janelsa1313 @Faithkitty @Daz123 @Patc49 @rceebear @Diamonds @Sararoo @SteveP @Ajwilso @Rf1974 @Dollysandameliasauntietj @NannasGirl1982 @Rahul.R @TWWTS1 @McCaffs @Marv61 @rainbow768 @ZoeRina @Evelynnn @sadone @F00tbaLLFan11 @rollingstone11 @Bex1891 @JenGoli @SP3RDN4 @EHill0853 @Cleverdick @Helen.p

Sending you strength and calm as you navigate this difficult stretch, and thank you again for sharing your light with others, even in the middle of your own darkness.

Take care,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

See the signature

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

Hide the responses

labazs

15/09/2025 at 18:20

labazs

Last activity on 06/10/2025 at 19:11

Joined in 2015

4 comments posted | 3 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I suffer from PTSD, Anxiety, and severe Depression. i often get thoughts of self-harming, which i have managed not to do for several years, suicide, drinking, I am a disaster when drinking. This has ended up with me going missing, this was when I lost my dad, often found lying on his grave. Sometimes I ended up having overdoses, accidentally ending up in the hospital. I am not in a very good situation at home, so I often get these, but I do try to overcome these thoughts

Do you get intrusive thoughts sometimes?

All comments

Give your opinion

Articles to discover...