Intrusive thoughts and intrusive memories

[ThomasOCD]

Hi, did anyone expirienced this as well ? What I mean is when I think of a person or a thing that caused me trauma or high anxiety suddenly my brain brings good memories to this bad thought. Is this a part of intrusive memories or brain’s defensive mechanism ? 

[Angst]

I think if you have intrusive thoughts or memories the important thing is not to obsess about them. Obsessing about them is OCD as well as the related compulsions. We should not try to defy them or push them away as this gives them too much credence. But label them as intrusive. And not linger with them and try to ‘work them out’. It is our tendency to attribute too much significance to them which is the problem. Most people just let these thoughts and memories pass.  So if they pass by having good memories and thoughts then I would say that this was a good thing. During therapy I was taught to switch my attention to good memories, as I placed too much significance on intrusive memories.

Edited January 29, 2022 by Angst