How to Deal With Common Intrusive Thoughts in Children

Intrusive thoughts in children can be a source of great distress. They can cause great anxiety and lead to problems in life. Fortunately, you can help your child deal with these thoughts. Here are some tips to help you.

First, you must understand what intrusive thoughts are. Thoughts are a natural part of the human experience. In fact, almost everyone will encounter disturbing thoughts at some point in their lives. Whether they’re related to a traumatic event, a stressful situation, or something that’s illegal, these thoughts can be difficult to deal with.

If you notice that your child has frequent and severe intrusive thoughts, he or she may be suffering from an underlying mental illness. Intrusive thoughts are often symptoms of depression, OCD, or PTSD. But, they don’t have to be a problem. Educating your child about what intrusive thoughts are and how they can be treated can ease your child’s suffering.

It’s important to let your child know that he or she is not alone. Children can often feel like they are the only ones with intrusive thoughts, especially if they are younger. Many younger kids will not speak about their thoughts, which can make them feel even worse. Getting reassurance from a friend or a parent can alleviate some of the pressure that comes with having intrusive thoughts.

You should also teach your child that intrusive thoughts aren’t a big deal. Kids will often ignore bad or frightening thoughts if they think it’s unimportant. However, if these thoughts become constant and interfere with daily activities, you should talk to a professional. These thoughts can be a sign of a deeper problem, and you can’t fix that problem by yourself.

The best way to get your child to stop thinking intrusive thoughts is to show him or her that he or she isn’t a bad person. This will relieve the shame and guilt that come with having these thoughts. While it’s important to let your child know that they’re not alone in their struggles, you must make sure that you do what’s necessary to help him or her.

There are many strategies you can use to combat intrusive thoughts. One of the easiest is to have your child talk about the thought. For example, you could ask him or her to write down their thoughts on a piece of paper. After they have completed this exercise, you can discuss the intrusive thought with them. When the thought occurs, they can say, “this is an intrusive thought!” Hopefully, this will help them overcome the compulsion to think about the unwanted thought.

Other at-home strategies can be helpful, but sometimes they just won’t cut it. Ultimately, if you are concerned about your child’s health, you should seek out a therapist. A therapist will help your child overcome the fear of having intrusive thoughts and can develop a treatment plan. Depending on the severity of the intrusive thoughts, therapy can help your child tame these thoughts and learn how to control them.