Understanding the Difference Between Intrusive Thoughts and Impulsive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts and impulsive thoughts are two very different types of uncontrolled thoughts that many people experience. While they may seem similar on the surface, understanding the distinctions between these two kinds of thoughts is important.
What are Intrusive Thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts, images or sensations that feel out of your control. They often pop into your mind without warning and may be shocking, upsetting or not aligned with your true desires.
Common themes of intrusive thoughts include:
- Fear of harming yourself or others
- Sexual thoughts that feel disturbing
- Taboo thoughts that go against your morals
- Thoughts of contamination, illness or disaster
- Doubts about relationships, work or your identity
Even though the content of intrusive thoughts often causes people distress, having an intrusive thought does not mean you actually want to act on it. The thought itself is unwanted and resisted, not a reflection of your true character or motivations.
What Causes Intrusive Thoughts?
Researchers aren't entirely sure why some people experience intrusive thoughts. Contributing factors may include:
- Brain chemistry - Serotonin and GABA activity may play a role.
- Genetics - Having a close family member with intrusive thoughts increases your risk.
- Stress and trauma - Highly stressful situations can trigger these thoughts.
- Faulty threat detection - The brain may mislabel a thought as "dangerous."
Intrusive Thoughts and Mental Health
For many people, occasional intrusive thoughts are a normal part of human cognition. However, when they become very frequent or distressing, they may be linked to certain mental health conditions, including:
- OCD - Obsessive thoughts about contamination, safety, symmetry, etc.
- PTSD - Re-experiencing traumatic memories or flashbacks.
- Depression and anxiety - Worrying excessively that you'll act on the thought.
- Schizophrenia - Hearing voices or thought insertion.
- Harm OCD - Obsessions about harming self/others despite not wanting to.
Getting treatment can help manage intrusive thoughts that interfere with daily functioning or cause significant distress.
Coping Strategies for Intrusive Thoughts
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) gives you tools to better cope with troublesome intrusive thoughts, like:
- Acknowledge - Note the thought but don't judge it.
- Distract - Shift your focus onto something else.
- Let time pass - Allow the thought to fade as you move forward.
- Thought labeling - Recognize the thought as intrusive and nothing more.
- Grounding - Use your senses to connect to the present moment.
Understanding Impulsive Thoughts
What are Impulsive Thoughts?
Impulsive thoughts are ideas, urges or desires to act on something despite potential negative consequences. They tend to be rapid and emotionally charged.
Common impulsive thoughts include urges to:
- Spend money excessively
- Drive recklessly
- Drink too much alcohol
- Binge eat unhealthy foods
- Quit a job abruptly
- Self-sabotage a relationship
- Use drugs
- Steal something
Impulsive thoughts arise from the reward-seeking parts of the brain. In the moment, acting on them can seem pleasurable. But giving in to them can be damaging in the long run.
What Causes Impulsive Thinking?
Impulsivity and poor self-control have been linked to:
- Genetics
- Brain differences
- Personality
- Childhood experiences
- Mental health conditions
- Substance abuse
- Immediate positive reinforcement
Impulsivity and Mental Health
Many psychiatric disorders involve struggles with impulsivity, such as:
- Bipolar disorder - Impulsive behavior during manic episodes.
- Borderline personality disorder - Difficulty controlling urges and outbursts.
- ADHD - Acting without forethought due to inattention and hyperactivity.
- Substance abuse disorders - Drug and alcohol use lowers inhibitions.
- Antisocial personality disorder - Disregard for safety of self and others.
Seeking treatment can help gain control over patterns of impulsive thinking and actions.
Controlling Impulsive Thoughts
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) provides techniques to help manage impulsive urges like:
- Delaying - Wait 10 minutes before acting on the urge.
- Distracting - Shift attention to something else that needs done.
- Journaling - Writing helps process emotions fueling impulses.
- Relaxation - Take deep breaths; go for a walk.
- Changing scenery - Remove yourself from the situation triggering urges.
- Talking it through - Discuss the impulse with a trusted confidant.
Key Differences Between Intrusive and Impulsive Thoughts
Despite some overlapping qualities, intrusive thoughts differ from impulsive thoughts in important ways:
How They Make You Feel
Intrusive thoughts create feelings of distress, anxiety, guilt or shame. You don't want to act on them.
Impulsive thoughts produce a sense of excitement, pleasure or thrill about acting on them, at least initially.
Level of Control
Intrusive thoughts feel out of your control and involuntary. They pop up unexpectedly.
Impulsive thoughts relate to voluntary (yet unwise) actions you feel compelled to take.
Origin
Intrusive thoughts often seem to come "out of the blue" and may seem totally unconnected to the person having them.
Impulsive thoughts align with personal habits, personality traits, desires and motivations.
Threat Level
Intrusive thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning they feel foreign or threatening to your sense of self.
Impulsive thoughts are ego-syntonic, meaning they align with your desires, impulses and tendencies.
Insight
Intrusive thoughts are recognized as unacceptable and ignored. You have insight that you don’t act on these thoughts.
Impulsive thoughts lead to actions which provide short-term satisfaction or pleasure. Your judgment is impaired in the moment.
When to Seek Help
Occasional intrusive or impulsive thoughts are common and not necessarily a major concern. But if these thoughts become very frequent, distressing or difficult to control, it may be time to seek professional help through counseling or a mental health treatment program.
Getting evaluated by a psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor can provide guidance on managing troublesome thoughts and identifying any underlying conditions that need treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to help patients suffering from persistent intrusive or impulsive thoughts that interfere with daily life and functioning.
Achieving Healthy Thinking Patterns
While intrusive and impulsive thoughts can be disruptive, the good news is they can be overcome. It simply takes time, patience and using effective coping strategies to change thought patterns and habits.
Learning to acknowledge and let go of intrusive thoughts and using techniques to control impulsive urges allows for healthier, more intentional thinking and actions.
FAQs
Are intrusive thoughts normal?
Yes, occasional minor intrusive thoughts are common and not a sign of mental illness for most people. They become concerning when they are very distressing, frequent or difficult to dismiss.
Can you stop intrusive thoughts?
While you can't eliminate intrusive thoughts completely, you can reduce their frequency and impact through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like acknowledging without judging and thought labeling.
Are impulsive thoughts dangerous?
Acting on impulsive thoughts can be dangerous depending on the nature of the urge. Impulses like reckless driving, drug use and violence can all have serious consequences.
What's the difference between intrusive and racing thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are involuntary, while racing thoughts are very fast thoughts you can't control. But both are uncontrolled thought patterns that can indicate anxiety or other mental health issues.
Can medication help with intrusive or impulsive thoughts?
Yes, certain medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics may be prescribed to help manage intrusive or impulsive thoughts associated with mental health disorders like OCD, ADHD and bipolar disorder.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Related Coverage
Chicken gizzards pack big flavor. Learn how to cook them in the instant pot with recipes for spicy Mexican gizzards, gizzards with gravy, BBQ gizzards and more....
Partners with big age differences must thoughtfully navigate power imbalances and seek alignment on life goals and priorities to build an equitable relationship....
Brain fog involves concentration issues, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue. Tests can identify causes like sleep disorders, hormonal imbalances, and deficiencies....
Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Bransfield made groundbreaking discoveries into Lyme disease including its neuropsychiatric symptoms, misdiagnosis as other conditions, chronic persistence after treatment, and more....
Learn the common signs of stalking behavior and practical tips for protecting yourself and stopping repeated harassment or intrusions into your daily life....
Falling for emotionally unavailable or noncommittal partners leads to unfulfilling relationships. Learn to recognize signs it's time to move on and how to heal....
Do your Beats headphones create buzzing, hissing or ringing noises? This phantom noise could signal early hearing damage or tinnitus onset from loud listening....
Learn to recognize red flags indicating toxic relationships as well as hallmarks of healthy bonds based on mutual care, respect and accountability....
Reiki uses life force energy channeled through a practitioner's hands to reduce anxiety, relieve pain, improve sleep, and more. Learn what to expect and how to find qualified Reiki massage therapists near you....
Tonsil stones appear as white or yellow lumps on the tonsils ranging from rice to pea sized. Symptoms include sore throat, bad breath, ear pain. Removal, gargles, surgery, and seeing a doctor are treatment options....