Navigating Intrusive Thoughts with ADHD: Insights from Real Experiences
Posted on 10th December 2024 at 17:04
Most individuals encounter intrusive thoughts. Those sudden, unexpected images and ideas that can feel disturbing and out of character. While intrusive thoughts vary widely in their nature and intensity, they are not uncommon and can be linked to various mental health conditions like OCD, anxiety etc. However, the connection between intrusive thoughts and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is less explored, and the overlap between intrusive and impulsive thoughts continues to pique interest.
Exploring the Connection: A small exploratory study suggested that individuals with ADHD might experience more frequent and worrisome intrusive thoughts compared to those without ADHD. The conditions commonly associated with intrusive thoughts also often co-occur with ADHD, making this an area ripe for further investigation.
Real Voices: Many have shared that experiencing intrusive thoughts is a part of their lives, often bringing feelings of isolation until realising how many others share their experiences.
Common Themes:
Driving Fears: "I always think about veering into someone or into a fence when driving... These thoughts happen a lot and then spiral into whether it would hurt, how long it would take the ambulance to come, what state would I be in, etc."
Violent Imaginings: "My intrusive thoughts are dark, and usually center around violence... I become so angry with myself."
Social Faux Pas: "I was playing with my friend’s pet rat and had a sudden impulsive thought to smash it on the concrete. I blurted it out loud and my friend has never spoken to me since."
Impact on Life:
Marital Stress: "I’ve had big out-of-the-box thoughts of leaving my partner, even though I’ve been happily married for 27 years."
Sleep Disturbance: "When [intrusive thoughts] are comorbid with depression and anxiety, you’ve got a never-ending cycle of negative, upsetting thoughts, including in your sleep."
Strategies for Coping:
Awareness and Acceptance: "All people have intrusive thoughts at some point... Notice, name them, and recognise that they are just thoughts."
Seeking Help: "Then I got help. I realised these thoughts are not symptoms of going crazy. They are not my desires. It’s ADHD."
Rational Counter-Thoughts: "Early on I started calming myself by thinking that the likelihood of such things happening after imagining them was small."
Conclusion:
Intrusive thoughts can be a challenging aspect of living with ADHD, laden with anxiety and distress. However, sharing experiences and coping strategies can significantly alleviate feelings of isolation and help individuals manage these thoughts more effectively. If you find yourself struggling with similar issues, remember you are not alone, and seeking support from professionals or communities can provide significant relief.
Tagged as: Autism
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