Have you ever had an unwanted thought or image that got stuck in your head? For the average person, this may seem like a normal occurrence that you usually just ignore and move on. However, for some people, these thoughts keep popping right back up and can be hard to ignore. Those unwanted ideations are called intrusive thoughts, and nearly every person has experienced them at some point in their lives.
Intrusive thoughts are usually harmless if left alone. However, for people who obsess about them so much to the point of becoming an interference and distraction, it can be quite problematic. Let’s explore how intrusive thoughts affect people differently and what can be done to help those who suffer from them.
Living with OCD and Intrusive Thoughts
Everyone experiences having intrusive thoughts from time to time. But people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other mental health conditions are often more distressed by these thoughts and may experience them more frequently. Intrusive thoughts can come in many different forms. Here are a few of them:
Violent acts
Being hurt or hurting others
Death
Sexual thoughts
Negative self-talk
Your safety or the safety of your loved ones
It’s important to remember that intrusive thoughts shouldn’t be confused as warning signs or something that reflects on who you are as a person. A healthy way to cope with these thoughts is to treat them as nothing more than passing thoughts that occasionally pop back into your head and disappear just as easily as they appeared.
A person with OCD will see this a bit differently as they can easily get overwhelmed by these intrusive thoughts. Even if you have no desire to act on them, it can be quite challenging to stay focused with all those negative and uncomfortable thoughts.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication used to traditionally for anesthesia. The medicine can induce the feeling of relaxation and can also help relieve pain. It is considered a class III scheduled drug and is approved for use in hospitals and other medical facilities for its anesthetic effect.
Despite having a reputation as a “recreational” drug prone to abuse, ketamine is safe to use in controlled medical practice. Aside from its anesthetic effect, we have discovered the benefits of administering ketamine “off-label” as medication for people with treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions. We utilize the ability of the medication to create a non ordinary state to give the “normal” brain function a break, which means also a break from the intrusive thoughts.
Ketamine for Intrusive Thoughts
If you’re diagnosed with intrusive thoughts and other related mental conditions like OCD, ketamine therapy may be able to help. Ketamine allows patients to achieve clarity of mind and a greater focus on therapy and recovery. Unlike traditional antidepressant medications, Ketamine s a treatment that’s done under the supervision of a medical professional and should only be done with a proper mindset and setting created. By leveraging the relaxing, euphoric, and mind expanding properties of ketamine, you may find relief from all those intrusive thoughts that have overwhelmed you.
Conclusion
Intrusive thoughts are sudden, involuntary ideas that can be at times disturbing and isn’t something to worry about. However, if you obsess over these thoughts, they can be unhealthy for you and your mental state, which is why ketamine is a medication that can be used to treat patients with OCD or intrusive thoughts.
If you or your loved one is suffering from OCD and other emotional or mental health issues, trust only one name to help you. Stephanie Lyn Coleman MD lets you take back control of your life through ketamine therapy and holistic medicine. Take your first step towards a happier life. Contact us today!