Struggling With Intrusive Thoughts? Get Evidence-Based, Confidential Help
Struggling With Distressing Intrusive Thoughts and/or Imagery? Help Is Available at our Melbourne clinic
While most of us will experience occasional, fleeting intrusive thoughts and/or images, they are not necessarily cause for concern. However, these types of thoughts and images can become problematic, when the content of them is deeply distressing, or when the manner in which they occur interrupts normal social interaction and daily tasks. They often seem to be spontaneous, appearing without warning, and can contain disturbing content or interrupt normal social interaction and activities. They may involve violent images, unwanted sexual ideas, fears about doing something wrong, or replaying and distorting interpersonal interactions in a shaming way. They can occur in social situations in a way that can negatively impact interpersonal interactions by drawing attention away from the communication taking place with another, or by interfering with focus on work, study, or other tasks.
These thoughts and images are not true representations of who you are, but they sometimes tap into our deepest concerns and ‘worse case’ scenarios. When we consider the unconscious function of intrusive thoughts and images, they start to make more sense. Often they occur with a rise of anxiety-provoking feelings and the individual gets ‘punished’ as a result of the activation of some kind of unconscious conflict.
At Dynamic Psychotherapy in Melbourne, we work with people dealing with intrusive thoughts and imagery they don’t want, don’t understand, and can’t seem to stop.
What Are Intrusive Thoughts?
- Sudden, unwanted thoughts that feel disturbing or out of character
- Often involve themes like harm, sex, contamination, or self-doubt and self-criticism
- Can be accompanied by imagery or the imagery may appear separate to the thoughts
- Common in conditions like anxiety, OCD, and PTSD—but also affect many people without a formal diagnosis
- Trigger shame, fear, or punitive thoughts, making you question yourself
Why These Thoughts Feel So Distressing
- They clash with your values
- They ‘out’ you as a person to judge or ridicule in a way that is cruel and not connected to who you are in reality
- They can make you question if they are true aspects of you that you are denying i.e. are the thoughts true information about you that you are blocking from your awareness (This is not the case but it can seem as if it may be true)
- You may find trying to suppress or control them, makes them worse
- They can lead to compulsive behaviours, avoidance, or mood changes
- Many people suffer in silence, afraid of being judged or misunderstood
You Don’t Have to Keep Struggling
Therapy can help you:
- Understand the triggers for these thoughts and images
- Understand and face the emotional conflicts driving the thoughts and images
- Reduce their emotional impact while working towards totally eliminating them
- Break the cycle of fear, self-criticism, and avoidance
- Reclaim peace of mind and restore confidence in yourself
Book Now or Learn More
Submit an intake form below or keep reading for an overview about seeing a psychologist for help with intrusive thoughts.
Why Do Intrusive Thoughts Happen?
Intrusive thoughts often feel random, but they have a psychological cause. They are not a sign that something is wrong with you—but they are usually a signal that anxiety-provoking emotions have been activated in a process that ends up with you being unjustly ‘punished’ by your own mind
Common Causes of Intrusive Thoughts
- Anxiety – When anxiety builds, the mind can generate distressing thoughts as a way to release internal pressure. We seek to not only address your anxiety but also to gain deeper understanding of what is triggering the anxiety that results in the intrusive thoughts and intrusive images
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) – Unwanted thoughts and/or images, paired with compulsive rituals
- Trauma – Past experiences may re-emerge in the form of intense or graphic thoughts. Intrusive thoughts and imagery can be a feature of PTSD. PTSD may also include seemingly random thoughts and images that do not seem directly connected to the traumatic event(s)
How Suppression and Avoidance Fuel Intrusive Thoughts
Trying to avoid or push thoughts and images away gives them more power. Therapy helps you feel the emotions you’ve been avoiding—without fear—and that’s what addresses the cycle of feelings triggering anxiety that triggers the thoughts and images.
When Intrusive Thoughts Become a Problem
Most people have occasional intrusive thoughts. But when they become frequent, distressing, or start to interfere with your life, there is the opportunity to seek help
- Worrying about when thoughts and images will occur
- Worrying about the content of the thoughts and images
- Intense self-punishment or shame
- Pseudo-guilt. You have done nothing wrong but have the experience that you have
- Avoiding people or places
- Repeating compulsive behaviours
- Struggling with work, relationships, or daily tasks due to the intrusive thoughts and intrusive images, or due to concerns that they will randomly appear and cause disruption
- Feeling constantly anxious or emotionally drained
How Therapy Helps With Intrusive Thoughts
Therapy isn’t about getting rid of thoughts. It’s about understanding what drives them and changing your relationship with them.
Effective Therapies We Use
- ISTDP – Helps release identify, face, and process the underlying emotions that feed distressing thoughts and images
- CBT – Helps you identify and respond to unhelpful thinking patterns
- ERP – Builds tolerance to anxiety without giving in to compulsions
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Helps you observe thoughts without reacting to them
- Psychodynamic Therapy – Explores deeper emotional conflicts and unresolved experiences
Our Approach: Going Beyond Surface-Level Coping
We don’t teach you to just “manage” your thoughts—we help you work through what’s underneath them. Our goal is lasting emotional change, that usually generalises into deeper change in not only the symptoms but all aspects of emotional and interrelational functioning.
What Makes Our Approach Different at Dynamic Psychotherapy
We listen without judgment. We go deeper than surface-level tools. We understand that intrusive thoughts and images are often symptoms of emotional pain that’s been left unresolved.
Here’s What You’ll Experience With Us:
- Therapy that targets and resolves the root causes, not just the symptoms
- A safe space to explore worries, shame, uncertainty; whatever distresses you
- A tailored treatment plan based on your specific needs
- Support from experienced psychologists who specialise in working with anxiety, trauma, and intrusive thoughts
FAQs about Intrusive Thoughts
Are intrusive thoughts and images normal?
Yes. They’re common, especially during times of stress or anxiety. What matters is how you respond to them.
Do intrusive thoughts and images mean I am a bad person?
No. These thoughts are symptoms—not reflections of your character or intent.
Can therapy help stop intrusive thoughts?
Yes. Therapy reduces their emotional power and frequency by working through the underlying causes in addition to providing specific cognitive and behavioural tools to address the symptoms
Will therapy make things worse before they get better?
Most people feel relief once they begin talking about what’s been kept inside. The process of facing what makes you anxious and distressed can seem daunting but we seek to keep your anxiety regulated and to work at a pace that is not too uncomfortable. Things should not ‘get worse before they get better’ and if for some reason, you have that experience after a session, we encourage you to let your therapist know so that they can provide more focus on anxiety regulation during the process.
How long does it take to feel better?
The length of therapy varies from person to person. You should experience hope and positive understanding very quickly in the process, which helps build capacity to go through this process, including that it should be very much a collaborative relationship with your therapist. You are not alone in the therapeutic process and, with the right therapist, should not feel alone. You should also start to experience positive change early on, although achieving all of your therapeutic goals will usually take longer.
Request an Appointment
Ready to book an appointment with Psychologist for help with intrusive thoughts? Use our appointment request form by clicking the button below.