Asking For A Friend Podcast

Intrusive Thoughts

Ever had thoughts of: Dropping a baby. Stepping in front of a train or off a ledge. Doubt that you love your partner (when you KNOW you do). Note: I've experienced these!

90% of people experience intrusive thoughts (Gagnon 1991, Clark 1993): Yet we rarely speak about them. The more we talk about this kind of thoughts, the less they become secret and maintain shame and power over us. ESPECIALLY ones of a sexual nature.

I felt incredibly lucky to speak to my WONDERFUL colleague and friend Catriona Boffard about a topic we both feel we need to discuss more.
Have you ever wondered if you’re the only one who gets those unwanted, terrible thoughts that come into your head unexpectedly…

You know the one’s I’m talking about. Crashing your car? Imagining everyone naked? What about something as upsetting as having sexual thoughts about to children?

In this weeks episode, psychosexual and relationship therapist Aoife Drury and I delve into a topic that is definitely not spoken about enough. We explore how these thoughts are always unwanted and cause someone immense distress, and what the difference is between the random intrusive thoughts we all get everyday, and the immense distress that thoughts like this can cause, and what behaviour they can result in. We talk about not letting these thoughts walk through the door, and how we need to explore and be curious as to whether our thoughts are fear or fact.