How to Beat Sexually Intrusive Thoughts
Have you ever experienced intrusive thoughts that left you feeling ashamed, confused, or scared?
Sexually intrusive thoughts and unwanted sexual thoughts are more common than many people realize. Having these thoughts does NOT mean they reflect your desires, values, or intentions. In fact, intrusive thoughts are a common symptom experienced by many people with OCD, OCD intrusive thoughts, sexual OCD (also called Pure O), anxiety disorders, and even people without a mental health condition.
In this video, we'll explore:
• What intrusive thoughts really are
• Why sexually intrusive thoughts happen
• The connection between OCD intrusive thoughts and anxiety
• Why trying to suppress thoughts often makes them stronger
• Healthy, evidence-based ways to stop the cycle of obsessive thoughts and rumination
Remember: thoughts are just thoughts. They do not define who you are.
If intrusive thoughts are causing significant distress or interfering with your daily life, consider speaking with a licensed mental health professional who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), two evidence-based treatments for OCD.
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APA Sources
Abramowitz, J. S. (2006). The psychological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 51(7), 407–416.
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Clark, D. A. (2004). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for OCD. Guilford Press.
International OCD Foundation. (n.d.). Sexual obsessions and OCD. https://iocdf.org
Rachman, S. (1997). A cognitive theory of obsessions. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35(9), 793–802.
Salkovskis, P. M. (1985). Obsessional-compulsive problems: A cognitive-behavioural analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 23(5), 571–583.