Intrusive thoughts are frightening and intense thoughts that happen in conditions, producing sudden anxiety that leads to depression. People who experience intrusive thoughts have significant challenges in coping with such feelings.
Below are a few treatments and therapies options to help people manage unwelcome thoughts.
Available Treatments
Usually, the treatment begins by consulting a doctor who checks-up any medical history to rule out any physical or other health problems. After a few tests and examination, patients may be assigned specialists such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor.
Every specialist performs additional analysis on health conditions while evaluating the stages the patients have to pass through. The two standard therapies used to treat intrusive thoughts include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This therapy involves either behavioral or talking approach. Research indicate it is useful for addressing intrusive thoughts, including obsessive compulsion disorder. The primary function of CBT is to help patients understand how thoughts influence their behavior.
The therapy is further divided into the cognitive and behavioral analysis. Behavioral analyzation evaluates patients’ reactions from their thoughts, while cognitive analyzation examines the thoughts that patients display.
Since both thoughts and behavior are interconnected in our brains, therapists who perform CBT procedures adjust their thoughts and reactions to a situation or current issues that a person experiences. Doing so ensures the potential of changing life’s perception of a patient. Additionally, undergoing CBT will change the negative thinking patterns to positive ones.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERPT)
ERPT is a type of CBT that involves intentionally subjecting a patient to intrusive thoughts or any situation that creates anxiety.
Usually, a therapist begins the procedure by requesting a patient to write down a list of the thoughts, objects, and visuals that produce sudden fears and anxiety. Afterwards, the therapist exposes a patient to the list indicated from their triggers. The therapy period differs typically according to a patient’s ability to overcome anxiety by managing it.
An important goal with this treatment ensures the patient gets linked with the triggering factors by behaving or reacting towards them.
Medication
Different medications are available to treat intrusive thoughts. A standard prescription includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Usually, these drugs are used to treat depression and other mental health disorders. They take some time before showing results with significant side effects according to the period used.
Additional medications include Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Fluvoxamine. Also, doctors may prescribe other antidepressant or psychiatric drugs, together with these drugs to address related issues.
Final Thoughts of Overcoming Intrusive Thoughts
Besides addressing intrusive thoughts with therapies, the other alternatives include behavior modifications. These include:
- Understanding your thoughts
- Speaking or thinking positively
- Meditation and breathing exercise
If you or your loved one struggles with intrusive thoughts, visit a nearby rehab center to address your needs. Rehab centers have professional therapists that can take you through the above procedures according to solve such thoughts including any other mental issues.
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