383. The psychology of intrusive thoughts

383. The psychology of intrusive thoughts

Intrusive thoughts can feel shocking, confusing, and deeply personal - especially when they show up out of nowhere and go completely against who you are. But in reality, the majority of us have them. In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the psychology of intrusive thoughts - why they happen, why they feel so emotional, and what actually helps when your mind won’t let something go.

We explore:

• How common intrusive thoughts really are
• What intrusive thoughts are - and what they aren’t
• The most common intrusive thought themes
• The white bear effect and the ironic process theory
• Alternative tools to help manage the thoughts

If you’ve ever been frightened by your own mind and wondered what it says about you - this episode is for you.

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(401)

400. 15 things everyone should do in their 20s

400. 15 things everyone should do in their 20s

It's our 400th episode! Today is a special episode. Feeling stuck, behind, or like you’re wasting your 20s is not a rare experience. But you might just be focusing on the wrong milestones... In this e...

26 Mar 48min

399. The psychology of exercise

399. The psychology of exercise

We all know exercise is ‘good for us’, but why is it that a walk can calm your brain, why a workout can feel like emotional release, or why movement can become either self-care or self-punishment. In ...

23 Mar 47min

398. 5 ways to get unstuck in your 20s

398. 5 ways to get unstuck in your 20s

Feeling stuck in your 20s is a rite of passage, but it's can also feel deeply hopeless when nothing in your life seems to be moving or changing in the way you want it to. In today's episode, we break ...

21 Mar 23min

397. The psychology of office politics

397. The psychology of office politics

When we think about office politics, you might think gossip, favouritism, or power plays - the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that makes work feel draining. But office politics isn’t just about one-u...

19 Mar 36min

396. Homesickness

396. Homesickness

Homesickness is more than just “missing home", it's a deep sense of nostalgia, grief, longing and also, as psychology will tell us, a unique kind of stress response. In this episode, we break down the...

16 Mar 34min

395. Is depression just a chemical imbalance?

395. Is depression just a chemical imbalance?

The idea that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” is one of the most widely accepted explanations in modern mental health ... but is it actually true? In this bonus episode, we unpack where...

15 Mar 32min

394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?

394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?

When one person tries to get closer to someone else, and the other person pulls away in response, they might be experiencing a pursuer-distancer dynamic. This can create a very painful cycle, where co...

12 Mar 39min

393. The psychology of stoicism

393. The psychology of stoicism

If you heard someone described as stoic, you would probably imagine they were unemotional and repressed, with a stiff upper lip. But stoicism has a PR problem. In fact, stoicism can teach us a lot abo...

9 Mar 37min

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