Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and distressing ideas or images that can appear suddenly and feel impossible to control. With obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), intrusive thoughts can become ...

Intrusive thoughts are some of the most personal and agonizing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Thanks to OCD, just one single unpleasant thought or image—violent, sexual, obscene, ...

Many people with OCD first get advice from internet chat forums or therapists untrained in OCD. Although the advice-givers are usually well-meaning, the messaging isn’t always consistent with best ...

Obsessions and compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) vary between people and may focus on one or more themes. The term “taboo OCD” refers to OCD themes that center around socially ...

Have you ever had scary thoughts pop into your head that you just couldn’t stop thinking about? They’re called intrusive thoughts, and they are distressing, repetitive and unwanted. They can be ...

Many of us have wild thoughts that pop into our heads out of nowhere. But what if those thoughts were harmful and seemed to want to destroy good things in your life? And what if they happened all of ...

Beyond simple quirks and preferences, OCD creates a debilitating cycle of unwanted thoughts and ritualistic behaviors that can hijack everyday life. This mental health condition affects approximately ...

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a treatment for symptoms of trauma. Some limited research suggests it could also help with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). EMDR ...

Too often, people say they “let their intrusive thoughts win” after spontaneously dyeing their hair or making a late-night purchase. There’s a difference between impulsive and intrusive thoughts, ...

Individuals with checking OCD experience overwhelming urges to repeatedly check things, such as locked doors, appliances being turned off, or tasks being completed correctly. Obsessive-compulsive ...