Intrusive thoughts

[Stavros_]

Does anyone know if ADHD, amplify, intrusive thoughts?

[STEM_Dad]

I know from my own experience and from conversation with others that it's common for people with ADHD to have intrusive thoughts.

For some of us, ADHD medication can reduce how bad the phenomenon is.

Anxiety and depression are the most common comorbidities of ADHD, and they are known to include intrusive thoughts (or rumination, especially on the part of depression) as some of the effects.

Besides ADHD medication, intrusive thoughts might be reduced by:

• Other medication (such as antidepressants, if needed)

• Counseling/therapy

• Mindfulness

• Meditation

• Journaling

I'm sure that exercise might help, too. It tends to have a good moderating effect on ADHD.

Socializing with friends or family might help (as long as they aren't the cause of anxiety issues).

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Journaling about the intrusive thoughts can be especially helpful, sometimes, if you can allow yourself to do free writing to get all the thoughts out. Try doing it for 5-15 minutes as you are getting ready for bed.

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Sometimes I'll listen to music or podcasts to help drown out the thoughts, so I don't notice them.

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Intrusive thoughts of harm to self or others are very concerning. Anyone experiencing such thoughts ought to see a mental health professional, their doctor, or another medical professional without delay.

[Colls47]

I’m starting to think so . Mine are so doom and end of , making me turning 50 into a never ending pit if that’s it , I’m done , my boats have all sailed , searching for any pain and illness that I expect is just round the corner . I didn’t notice it until diagnosed ASD and adhd at 47.

[Star2024 in reply to Colls47]

Don't give up. You are worthy.

[CloudsAreLovely]

Yes, and they can really grab hold for a while, mostly when youre under stress and not eating right. I go negative a lot and it messes with my best judgment at times. The biggest ones to look for are the ones when your start to bad talk yourself, putting yourself down or blaiming others for the condition. Its not healthy. Find something that absolutely makes your heart beat with joy... for me its music.... the serotonin and other chemicals put me in a beautiful mood, Nature walks.. .as long as it isn't stupid hot out. I love to travel. I go check a park i've never been periodically. Some of the states have beautiful springs, others have caves, mountains. Check out yours for hidden spots. Or whatever it is you love to do with no question!!!!! Do you draw, exercise, swim, amusement parks, museums, learn a new trade, boating.......the world really is your oyster.

[Stavros_ in reply to CloudsAreLovely]

Thank you for the suggestions although i have to say, these thoughts are not that debilitating, they are very sort, some times intense, but generally i can push them aside pretty easily and i have notice a pattern, so i know when and probably why they happen.

[CloudsAreLovely in reply to Stavros_]

It is the start of it....as you get older they seem to stay longer or go on repeat and they could be happy thoughts,odd, sad, anger, euphoric but if they are not of your own will.. they are considered intrusive thoughts!

[DogKissesAreTheBest]

I just learned that this is very common. Mine are just annoying! From the moment I wake to the moment I go to bed, I have a riff or a few words from a random song or jingle running on a constant loop in the background of my thoughts. Every so often, I’ll notice it and it’s suddenly a different tune. Songs I don’t like, don’t know the words to, and haven’t heard in years are common. It’s incredibly intrusive and annoying! I just started with stimulants today, after all other meds have failed to help my overall symptoms. Fingers crossed, the chorus ceases!

[Kuhlbeans in reply to DogKissesAreTheBest]

😂Totally there with you! It'd be hilarious if it weren't so annoying. I just noticed 30 minutes ago that I was hearing Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" in my head for no reason (I can even see the video from the 80's playing!). It's bizzaro because I haven't heard it recently or seen any of the words of the song written or said anywhere.....not even a fan of his music, really. So go figure. And I have been on stimulants for quite some time, but unfortunately, this "symptom" never seems to go away. I just hope it's a better song for tomorrow....

[Stavros_ in reply to DogKissesAreTheBest]

not just songs though, scenes from movies or games or imaginary conversations, past conversations, it is like having multiple channels on at the same time and it is as exhausting and annoying as it sounds.

[DogKissesAreTheBest in reply to Stavros_]

it is exhausting as it sounds! I like. I liken it to being in a big room at a banquet and there’s lots of conversations going on around me. I can hear them all at a low rumble and sometimes I’ll focus intently on just one. I don’t do the move thing or conversations.

Ugh!!! I see you!

[Stavros_ in reply to DogKissesAreTheBest]

Hahahaaha, exactly!

[Mamamichl]

I didn’t know what to call my intrusive thoughts until 2 months ago. When people would ask if I had suicidal thoughts, I would say no, but that was only because the thoughts were more like “why tf are you even trying? You’re never going to get anywhere” I get these thoughts along with my racing thoughts and it’s hard not to let them affect me. I find when I’m well medicated for adhd and anxiety, these thoughts come less often and are easier to bath away.

[DogKissesAreTheBest in reply to Mamamichl]

My 22 year old daughter had to tell me that my song repeats were intrusive thoughts. I thought they only meant horrible things like suicide or rape or something heinous. I always answered no on the questionnaire, that I don’t have intrusive thoughts. 🤷‍♀️

[Mamamichl in reply to DogKissesAreTheBest]

So suicidal thoughts are wanting to die or plans to die, while intrusive thoughts could be along those lines, but imagine a weird friend jumping ideas out at you about things you know shouldn’t be. Look up “if my intrusive thoughts were a person” on you tube. some of the ideas are quite interesting. It’s possible that you have borderline personality disorder too, so talk to a DBT specialist to go over the symptoms with you and see if it may be a good fit. I am starting soon, and am learning about it now.

[Greenbeeps]

I’m so glad I opened this post!

My relentless intrusive thoughts has literally ruined my life and relationships!

Anyone who says to me ‘why can’t you just get over it’ hasn’t got a clue how ‘all-consuming’ these intrusive thoughts are…especially if rejection sensitivity is attached to it.

I’m now trying Clonidine 50mcg and re-introducing Elvanse at 20mg

As soon as I wake I have a song in my head and like Kuhlbeans said sometimes the songs are something I haven’t heard for years! My brain then starts ruminating on every clash I’ve had with my family, past hurts and perceived injustices and god know what else ‘from the past’ trying to stretch my brain from these thoughts feels literally painful! They are with me 24/7

In turn this then continues to affect my relationships which is heartbreaking!

When Elvanse worked very effectively ….which it did for about 2 months my head was CLEAR it was incredible…I wasn’t consumed by my past I was literally in the present and able to focus and feel real Joy!

I’m now seeing the consultant at the adhd clinic and hoping his expertise will get me onto a medication combination that will give me my life back!

Just to add….i meditate, sew, knit, write out my thoughts etc too…not enough admittedly and they don’t necessarily help! Sometimes I feel like buying a motorbike just to rid myself of these thoughts through the adrenaline rush!

One major difference that is upcoming that with help reduce my stress is I have been a ward based mental health nurse for 20+ years and am finally getting a community post…the last 15 or so years have been hell with the increased paperwork and less resources added higher management all impacting my ability and reducing my confidence…in turn also affecting my relationships!

So thanks for posting! Yes…adhd 100% increases your susceptibility to intrusive thoughts! Good luck in finding medication/solutions xx

[Stavros_ in reply to Greenbeeps]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience, although i cant say my experience is that bad i was wondering if others experience the same thing, again im glad you shared, i really hope you find a solution.

[Steph99]

yes.