Have you ever had an unpleasant thought or image that seems to pop into your head out of nowhere? These unwanted mental visitors, also known as intrusive thoughts, can be disturbing, distressing and ...

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming or distracted and your thoughts turn negative? You try to push away the upsetting thoughts, but it’s difficult, or even impossible. Those are intrusive thoughts.

Many people routinely wake up throughout the night, dwelling on their past mistakes and ruminating about things they regret doing and saying. We may try to push these interfering thoughts out of our ...

The mind can wander to strange places. Sometimes those places and the images that come with them are unwanted, dangerous and negative. We all have intrusive thoughts, but some of us deal with them ...

Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop up into your head? Thoughts that are distressing, repetitive and unwanted are called intrusive thoughts. NPR's senior Visuals producer LA Johnson talks with ...

Have you ever had scary thoughts pop into your head that you just couldn't stop thinking about? They're called intrusive thoughts, and they are distressing, repetitive and unwanted. They can be ...

An obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) attack, such as intrusive thoughts, can be overwhelming and may feel similar to a panic attack. People may have thoughts they wish they could stop thinking or ...

OCD can sometimes involve distressing, intrusive thoughts about suicide, typically distinct from genuine suicidal ideation. Treatment like exposure therapy can help individuals heal from harmful ...

Too often, people say they “let their intrusive thoughts win” after spontaneously dyeing their hair or making a late-night purchase. There’s a difference between impulsive and intrusive thoughts, ...

Fear is a universal human experience, but it doesn't have to control your life. By understanding your fear, educating ...