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“I keep having intrusive thoughts”
A short answer
Unwanted thoughts that feel shocking or out of character happen to almost everyone at some point, and having one doesn't mean you want it or will act on it. When they keep coming back, cause a lot of distress and take up a lot of your day, they can be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is very treatable. You don't have to explain every thought to get help.
What we'd like you to know
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that pop into your head on their own. They often go against what you value, which is exactly why they're so upsetting. The distress you feel is a sign the thought isn't something you want.
For most people, these thoughts come and go. In OCD, they get stuck. The thoughts (obsessions) cause anxiety, and things you do to ease that anxiety (compulsions), like checking, seeking reassurance or mentally reviewing, bring short relief that keeps the cycle going. People with OCD often spend more than an hour a day on this, and it gets in the way of daily life.
If a thought ever feels like something you want to act on, or you're worried about your safety, please reach out right away. If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Something to think about
Which sounds like you?
Tap the one that's closest. Nothing is saved or sent.
That fear is very common with intrusive thoughts. Thoughts that feel foreign and against your values are a recognized symptom, not a sign of who you are.
Why intrusive thoughts feel so realThose habits can be compulsions, even when they happen only in your head. They bring relief for a moment, then the doubt comes back. That pattern is worth mentioning at your evaluation.
Read our guide to OCDMedication can help many people with OCD, often alongside a type of therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP). If ERP would help, we'll help you find a therapist who offers it.
OCD treatment at ANKYou don't need to know before you come in. Sorting that out is part of the evaluation.
What the evaluation coversThis isn't a diagnosis. Only an evaluation with a qualified provider can tell you what's going on.
Bring this to your visit
What helps your first visit
Tick what applies, then copy your list. Nothing is saved or sent.
Myth or fact? Intrusive thoughts
Choose an answer for each to see the explanation. Nothing is saved.
1Having a disturbing thought means part of you secretly wants it.
Myth. Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and usually go against what you value. That's why they cause so much distress.
2Trying hard to push a thought away usually makes it go away for good.
Myth. Pushing thoughts away, or cancelling them out with a ritual, tends to bring them back more often. Treatment teaches a different way to respond.
3OCD can be treated with medication, therapy or both.
Fact. Treatment usually includes a type of cognitive behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention, medication such as an SSRI, or both.
What to expect
What happens next with us
1Start your intake packet
Fill out our secure intake packet. Once it's submitted, we'll verify your insurance and call you to schedule your appointment.
2A careful evaluation
We talk about the thoughts, what you do in response, how much they affect your life, and your history and health. We listen without judgment.
3Your options, explained
If medication could help, we explain the options, how long they take to work and why, and you decide together with your provider. If therapy such as ERP would help, we'll help you find it. We don't offer standalone weekly therapy, but we're happy to help you find a therapist and will coordinate with them as part of your care.
4Regular follow-ups
We check in regularly to see what's helping and adjust carefully. Regular follow-ups are how patients stay on track.
The science: how we checked this
Sources
- NIMH: Obsessive-compulsive disorder: when unwanted thoughts take over
- NHS: OCD symptoms
- NHS: OCD treatment
- APA Monitor: OCD diagnosis and treatment (2026)
How we checked this
- Written in our own words from the sources above, checked October 26, 2026.
- What happens at ANK describes our own approach; it isn't drawn from these sources.
- General information, not medical advice; talk with your provider.
Other starting points