“They might be embarrassing. They might be against what we really want to do.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
And if someone is experiencing poor mental health, it can be difficult to let intrusive thoughts go.<\/p>\n
For example, if you’re stressed or anxious, you may find it harder to determine what thoughts are intrusive and what are conscious, Professor Brakoulias says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Intrusive thoughts can be especially challenging for people with OCD. Thoughts become recurring and inescapable. Instead of being dismissed, they lead the person to wondering, “Why did I think of that? What if it’s true?”<\/p>\n
This rumination can lead to developing compulsions, repetitive physical or mental actions to combat the persistent intrusive thoughts. This might look like excessive cleaning, double-checking, or avoiding certain situations altogether.<\/p>\n
![\"Plastic](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ed172f7f6851ef68c864ab009a79fce8.jpeg\")
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Naming thoughts as intrusive and random may make them easier to dismiss. (Getty Images: Eoneren)<\/p>\n
To be diagnosed with OCD, a person’s obsessive thinking and compulsions need to take up at least an hour every day, Professor Brakoulias says.<\/p>\n
“So people with the disorder are unable to function because of the severity of their obsessions and compulsions.”<\/p>\n
What are the subtypes of OCD?<\/p>\n
There are several subtypes of OCD, some of which come with taboo or dangerous thoughts, which mean people may not feel comfortable seeking help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you or anyone you know needs help:<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, some people with OCD experience intrusive thoughts related to paedophilia. This is sometimes referred to as paedophilia-themed obsessive compulsive disorder, and sees people struggle with thoughts related to harming children, despite having no intention of acting on them.<\/p>\n “So these are what we call ego-dystonic thoughts. They’re against their ego and they think, ‘Oh, that was a terrible thought,’ and it’s distressing for them. It confirms to them that they actually don’t want to do something terrible like that,” Professor Brakoulias says.<\/p>\n In his work as a psychiatrist, he often sees patients struggling with taboo intrusive thoughts, which impact their mental health.<\/p>\n His research found that people with these kinds of thoughts were more likely to use substances such as drugs or prescribed medications than people with other OCD symptoms.<\/p>\n “This likely reflects the distressing nature of these symptoms,” he says.<\/p>\n Additionally, obsessive thoughts and compulsions can be internal, so close family and friends may not see the impact of OCD on someone, Professor Brakoulias says.<\/p>\n “These are hidden thoughts. They’re very embarrassed about them. So it’s not like they know that other people have the same thoughts as them.”<\/p>\n What treatment is available?<\/p>\n About 4 per cent of the Australian population is diagnosed with OCD.<\/p>\n But there is also another 8\u201310 per cent who have what’s known as subclinical OCD. They don’t quite meet the criteria for diagnosis, but their intrusive thoughts may cause distress.<\/p>\n For people with subclinical OCD, being able to identify intrusive thoughts and having an understanding of what OCD is can improve symptoms even without treatment, Professor Brakoulias says.<\/p>\n But, he added, people who have clinical OCD may need support from a mental health care professional. With psychological or pharmacological treatment, people can get significantly better.<\/p>\n ABC Health in your Instagram feed<\/a><\/p>\n Follow @abchealth on Instagram, where we’re busting myths and sharing practical, smart health advice.<\/p>\n A common psychological treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention therapy. It’s a modified version of cognitive behavioural therapy, where patients are asked to confront their intrusive thoughts without engaging in any compulsions.<\/p>\n For Martin, treatment has been difficult but ultimately valuable.<\/p>\n “It is incredibly painful when you have someone who thinks that their, or someone else’s, life is on the line if they don’t do this certain thing, if they don’t tap this table a certain number of times.<\/p>\n “It’s kind of like walking through the fire to get out the other side. There’s no way out of it without going through the pain of that fire.”<\/p>\n Hear <\/strong>more about OCD<\/strong><\/a> on All In The Mind or <\/strong>subscribe to the podcast<\/strong><\/a> for more stories that explore the mind, mood and behaviour.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n