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 ...

None of us can escape intrusive thoughts, the random and usually off-putting musings that include visions of shoving your hand through the center of a beautifully decorated cake or a bridge collapsing ...

Cohen calls intrusive thoughts a form of "mind babbling" or "random, involuntary and unintentional thinking" that can be relentless and difficult to quiet down. "While not all the 'babble' is harmful ...

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 ...

Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental health condition in which a person experiences involuntary obsessions and compulsions that may cause distress.

Everyone has passing intrusive thoughts that seem to come from outside their control: The content may feel alien, absurd, or threatening, and may pass after a few weird moments. Intrusive thoughts can ...

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 vs. 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 ...

Disclaimer: This article contains discussions of sensitive topics, including suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. The content may be triggering or distressing for some readers. Reader discretion ...

You’re driving down a two-lane road, windows down, singing along to Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” when suddenly you think about veering into oncoming traffic. You’ve settled in for an evening ...