Types of intrusive thoughts

Some people may have intrusive thoughts about:

• germs, infections, or other kinds of contamination
• violent acts, aggression, or causing harm to other people
• doubts about doing tasks wrong or leaving tasks unfinished
• religion, blasphemy, or being an immoral person
• sexual acts or situations
• acting out or saying the wrong thing in public

It’s also possible to have other types of intrusive thoughts that do not fit into these categories.

Sometimes, people who experience intrusive thoughts become worried about what they mean. This can lead to someone trying to control or stop the thoughts. People may also feel ashamed and want to keep them secret from others. Keep in mind that the image or thought might be disturbing, but it does not usually have a particular meaning.