This phenomenon may have happened to everyone at some point of time or the other. The content of an intrusive thought may be a broad spectrum from a thought that may seem violent, or aggressive, and even sexual in nature, to a thought about sickness, germs, a worry, doubt, or a mistake made in the past. The intrusive thought may also be about acting out or breaking out of society’s expected roles and even doing something considered to be immoral.

By and large, these intrusive thoughts do not have any particular meaning and are not harmful, as long as we recognise that they are only thoughts that we don’t have any desire to action. However, if these thoughts are repetitive, frequent, causing concern through disruption of routine and cognitive processes, it is important to reach out to a trained therapist or professional for support.