Can Depression Make You Think Weird Thoughts?

Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

What type of thinking is associated with depression?

One of the features of depression is

pessimistic thinking

. The negative thinking is actually the depression speaking. It’s what depression sounds like. Depression in fact manifests in negative thinking before it creates negative affect.

Can depression make you have weird thoughts?

People who suffer from depression often get stuck with a single or even several of intrusive thoughts that arise frequently. These types of repetitive intrusive thoughts are known as ‘

rumination

‘. People who easily get upset and brood over a problem again and again in their daily life are called ruminators.

Is it normal to have crazy thoughts?

Everyone has thoughts that are upsetting or strange, and that do not make a lot of sense, from time to time.

This is normal

. In fact several well-conducted studies have discovered that close to 100% of the general population has intrusive and disturbing thoughts, images or ideas.

Can stress cause weird thoughts?

People living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience intrusive thoughts that may be connected to a traumatic event. These thoughts may trigger some of the physical symptoms of PTSD, such as increased heart rate and sweating.

Why do I think horrible thoughts?

The two most common diagnoses associated with intrusive thoughts are

anxiety

and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can also be a symptom of depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, or Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

What mental illness has intrusive thoughts?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

is characterized by repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions). Although people with OCD may know that their thoughts and behavior don’t make sense, they are often unable to stop them.

How can I control my mind from unwanted thoughts?

1. List your most stressful thoughts. …
2. Imagine the thought. …
3. Stop the thought. …
4. Practice steps 1 through 3 until the thought goes away on command. …
5. After your normal voice is able to stop the thought, try whispering “Stop.” Over time, you can just imagine hearing “Stop” inside your mind.

How do you accept intrusive thoughts?

1. Focus on the present by paying attention to what’s around you and grounding yourself in a chair or on the floor.
2. Try to continue whatever it was you were doing before the intrusive thought appeared.
3. Acknowledge the thought as being intrusive.

How do you fix intrusive thoughts?

1. Label these thoughts as “intrusive thoughts.”
2. Remind yourself that these thoughts are automatic and not up to you.
3. Accept and allow the thoughts into your mind. …
4. Float, and practice allowing time to pass.
5. Remember that less is more. …
6. Expect the thoughts to come back again.

What are examples of intrusive thoughts?

• harming loved ones or children.
• killing others.
• using knives or other items to harm others, which can result in a person locking away sharp objects.
• poisoning food for loved ones, which can result in the person avoiding cooking.

Can intrusive thoughts feel real?

For most of us, these thoughts seem “messed up” or funny, because they’re so out of place. But for someone with OCD, these disturbing thoughts might feel

like real possibilities

— even if that person knows their thoughts are probably irrational.

Do thoughts mean anything?

The presence of unwanted intrusive thoughts

does not indicate anything

about your character or sanity. In fact , the content of the thoughts are actually meaningless and irrelevant, no matter how compelling. These unwanted thoughts are not fantasies or impulses or urges.

Does medication help intrusive thoughts?

Treatment for intrusive thoughts often includes a combination of medication and talk therapy. Medications for OCD, such as

serotonin reuptake inhibitors

, help regulate serotonin levels and can help reduce intrusive thoughts.

Can we control thoughts?

We are aware of a tiny fraction of the thinking that goes on in our minds, and

we can control only a tiny part of our conscious thoughts

. The vast majority of our thinking efforts goes on subconsciously. Only one or two of these thoughts are likely to breach into consciousness at a time.