While intrusive thoughts may be disturbing, they aren’t harmful or a sign that you have a secret desire to do the things that popped into your mind. This can lead to an uptick in anxiety, and in some instances, obsessive thinking. They may become more isolated, or develop a fear of aging or of developing physical ailments, she says. Anxiety symptoms may also commonly occur as women transition to a different stage of their life. Olivera Bogunovic, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. These days many women have experienced significant stress from the isolation caused by the pandemic, says Dr. 'Any life stressor, if big enough, can increase your risk of having intrusive thoughts,' says Dr. For example, a woman might experience an uptick in intrusive thoughts after the birth of a child. They may also be a short-term problem brought on by biological factors, such as hormone shifts. Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety. Kerry-Ann Williams, a lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. But many people who experience these thoughts don’t have a mental health disorder, says Dr. They are also common in post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be triggered by a life-threatening or extremely stressful event, such as an accident or violent attack. Sometimes intrusive thoughts are associated with a mental health disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, where thoughts become so bothersome that they prompt repetitive behaviors or compulsions to try to prevent them from occurring. Intrusive thoughts, as these are called, are thought to affect some six million Americans, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. The more you try to push the thought from your mind, the more it persists. Whatever the content, it’s often unsettling and may bring on feelings of worry or shame. It might be violent or sexual, or a recurring fear that you’ll do something inappropriate or embarrassing. It seems to come out of nowhere - a strange, disturbing thought or a troubling image that pops into your mind. Disturbing thoughts that pop into your mind unbidden may make you feel uneasy, but they are common - and there are strategies you can use to manage them.

Repetitive thoughts