In: Percudani M, Bramante A, Brenna V, Pariante C, eds. Unwanted, intrusive thoughts of infant-related harm. (2018).įairbrother N, Martin R, Challacombe F. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Traumatic brain injury: Some people experience intrusive thoughts following a traumatic brain injury due to neurological changes resulting from brain damage.Eating disorders: Research shows that people with eating disorders might experience intrusive thoughts about their body, appearance, or eating behaviors.This can be difficult to disclose due to concerns that providers will think that the parent intends to act on these thoughts. Postpartum depression: Some parents with postpartum depression experience intrusive thoughts that they will harm their baby.Anxiety disorders: People with anxiety disorders may have intrusive thoughts related to specific fears or their anxiety triggers.In addition to intrusive memories, people with PTSD might experience worries that another traumatic event will happen or negative self-talk related to the trauma as an intrusive thought. Post-traumatic stress disorder: One symptom of PTSD is flashbacks, or unwanted memories of the trauma that cause distress.People with OCD experience distressing thoughts that they struggle to let go of, and they might engage in behaviors to compensate or reduce anxiety brought on by the thoughts. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Intrusive thoughts are most commonly associated with OCD, though they are certainly not limited to this diagnosis.

Letting go of obsessive thoughts