How do YOU define "intrusive thoughts"?

It was just strongly suggested to me by my therapist that I probably have OCD.

Since then, I have been trying to do research on the disorder. I am particularly interested because it seems like the last thing I would have expected myself to have!

I wanted to ask others with this classification how you classify "intrusive" thoughts. I am a very high anxiety person always worrying about something, usually catastrophizing something, etc. But I'm not sure my thoughts are "intrusive". From what I've read about intrusive thoughts, they seem illogical and seem to pop out of nowhere for no rhyme or reason.

For example, I am extremely anxious/obsessive about not having enough money to pay rent (but I have been a victim of credit fraud where a large sum was taken from my account around the time rent was due, so I make it logical that way.) I am extremely anxious/obsessive about turning off my hair iron, to the point where I turn it off several times and sometimes unplug it just to be sure it's off (but I have left it on before - it burned a mark onto my comforter but not much else).

The only part I feel is OCD about me is worrying about health problems, hypochondria, etc. I haven't been able to hear out of my left side for over a week due to a middle ear infection and I read that if it doesn't resolve itself in a few weeks that you need to get an incision in your ear drum to drain the fluids in my ear. OUCH. So of course I've been thinking about that a lot.

So see, these seemingly random thoughts do have logic behind them but I worry all of the time. I definitely think my thoughts are "obsessive" by the general meaning of the word. I obsess. But when I look up, even the "only O" OCD condition, I don't feel like it matches me.

In short, my thoughts are obsessive, as in I think about them a lot. The thoughts don't pop out of nowhere and they're not illogical or radical or aggressive. I just obsess and obsess and obsess... can anyone point me to any resources that may discuss this aspect if it is indeed OCD?

Is there something that I am missing?

Hey Winterfell,

Hmmm. To me, 'intrusive thoughts' are thoughts that I don't want to have but which still for some reason keep bothering me. They tell me there is 'danger', or that I have 'done something incorrectly'. They cause anxiety and make me do things (compulsions) or engage in endless discussions with myself.

While possible 'danger' can be realistic, the fears can still be out of proportion and possibly halt your ability to act in case of realistic danger or impact your life until it no longer functions. It's often better to stay calm and manage the moment once it arises, instead of questioning everything or being controlled by a mere illusion of control while engaging in unnecessary actions.

How I define an intrusive thought is kind of like an annoying pest, a fly maybe? It keeps buzzing, flying around, and it's even wiggling it's hands together (kind of plotting an evil plot) - intrusive thought. What I definitely have right now. All imagery aside, I will define intrusive thought as "sudden onset, constant annoyance, fighting war within one's own head about something." And that something could be anything. Mine was HOCD and now it's TOCD (transgender OCD). That thought won't give up no matter what you do or say. It's always constant, 24/7, all day every day. They won't stop until I fall asleep. That's how I know mine are intrusive thoughts and not actual "gay/transgender" thoughts because those guys can stop their thoughts. They don't fight them as much as I do. I keep fighting, shoving, and punching it (which is something I shouldn't be doing if I want to be cure of this monster). Long story short, intrusive thoughts are annoying, pestering, key word: constant 24/7 of questions and me trying to find the answer.

-- Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:07 am --

How I define an intrusive thought is kind of like an annoying pest, a fly maybe? It keeps buzzing, flying around, and it's even wiggling it's hands together (kind of plotting an evil plot) - intrusive thought. What I definitely have right now. All imagery aside, I will define intrusive thought as "sudden onset, constant annoyance, fighting war within one's own head about something." And that something could be anything. Mine was HOCD and now it's TOCD (transgender OCD). That thought won't give up no matter what you do or say. It's always constant, 24/7, all day every day. They won't stop until I fall asleep. That's how I know mine are intrusive thoughts and not actual "gay/transgender" thoughts because those guys can stop their thoughts. They don't fight them as much as I do. I keep fighting, shoving, and punching it (which is something I shouldn't be doing if I want to be cure of this monster). Long story short, intrusive thoughts are annoying, pestering, key word: constant 24/7 of questions and me trying to find the answer.

-- Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:09 am --

How I define an intrusive thought is kind of like an annoying pest, a fly maybe? It keeps buzzing, flying around, and it's even wiggling it's hands together (kind of plotting an evil plot) - intrusive thought. What I definitely have right now. All imagery aside, I will define intrusive thought as "sudden onset, constant annoyance, fighting war within one's own head about something." And that something could be anything. Mine was HOCD and now it's TOCD (transgender OCD). That thought won't give up no matter what you do or say. It's always constant, 24/7, all day every day. They won't stop until I fall asleep. That's how I know mine are intrusive thoughts and not actual "gay/transgender" thoughts because those guys can stop their thoughts. They don't fight them as much as I do. I keep fighting, shoving, and punching it (which is something I shouldn't be doing if I want to be cure of this monster). Long story short, intrusive thoughts are annoying, pestering, key word: constant 24/7 of questions and me trying to find the answer.