Intrusive Thoughts#

Distress ToleranceWeek 7

What are they?#
- Brains are programmed to keep giving thoughts, no matter what. Intrusive thoughts are a bi-product of this.
- Intrusive thoughts are normal - it’s important to recognise that without over-analysing them.
- Sometimes intrusive thoughts are so prominent that they feel like facts. This doesn’t mean that they are.
Intrusive thoughts include:
- “It’s all my fault”
- “I deserve this”
- “I’m a bad person”
- “I don’t deserve anything”
- “I am evil”
- “Everybody hates me”
- “Nobody cares about me” etc.
How can I combat them?#
- Don’t feed intrusive thoughts - it just makes them stronger. Ignoring them teaches to brain to stop trying to give them to you.
- Don’t judge them, just ignore them.
- Focus on positive thoughts, incentive the brain to provide positive gifts rather than negative.

What are they?#